How smart city technologies benefit cities and their people
Smart city initiatives aim at providing a better quality of life to its people. Though the definition of a “smart city” is evolving, a few things have become clear. Smart cities make use of the latest information and communication technologies to improve the living experience of the people. It uses data as well as technology for increasing efficiencies and improving the daily lives of citizens.
Smart cities usually rely on innovative and evolving technologies, like Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things, Geospatial technology, and the Global Positioning System (GPS), to make cities a better place to live.
Here are 8 ways in which smart technologies are beneficial for cities and the people.
Revamped transportation
According to a publication, the global market for smart transportation will grow to $33.6 billion from 2020 to 2028 at a Compounded Annual Growth Rate of 17.5% [1]. Smart transformation improves the transportation of a smart city drastically and provides facilities and tools for smart traffic management, the public’s ability to track bus and train location, and more.
The connected transport technology has the potential to enhance efficiencies in a city substantially. These technologies also help in the optimization of traffic flow with the help of intelligent traffic signals for relieving peak travel time congestion. Smart city technology for transport and traffic management can also alert citizens of high traffic times and suggest the use of public transit during those hours.
High-speed internet services
Smart city technology also makes high-speed internet and connectivity available and possible for every citizen. For ensuring digital equity in a city, people must have access to internet services, in addition to affordable devices. This is done by strategically implementing public Wi-Fi hotspots across the city to offer reliable, high-speed internet to all citizens.
Efficient & upgraded public utilities
Technologies employed in smart cities provide cities with the necessary tools for effectively conserving natural resources and reducing the waste of electricity and water. Technologies like smart sensors enable cities to identify leakages in pipes and fix damaged parts in shorter time durations, resulting in a lesser amount of lost water. Moreover, smart electric grids enable two-way communication between citizens and electricity providers to help in the identification of peak usage and outage times.
Increased safety of the citizens
There are smart city technologies that help in making cities safer. These technologies, when employed through private or public partnerships, help in the significant reduction of criminal activities in a city. Smart technologies, such as emergency call centers, gunshot detectors, license plate recognition, bodycams, and connected crime centers, help law enforcement immensely in doing what they do best – protecting the city. Investing in groundbreaking smart technologies like these can help promote a safer city for its people.
Identification of infrastructure that needs improvement
Old city infrastructure, like bridges, roads, and even buildings, requires maintenance from time to time. Predictive analytics and other smart technologies can help in the identification of such roads, buildings, and bridges (and more) that need to be fixed before they face irrevocable damage. Additionally, smart sensors transmit data showing unfavorable structural changes, discover cracks and tilt in bridges and buildings, and notify personnel about the need for inspection, maintenance, or repairs. Smart technology for infrastructure maintenance presents a great opportunity for smart cities to save taxpayers money on preventable infrastructure failures.
Minimized carbon footprint
The technology used in smart cities also helps in tackling pollution. Through smart cities, governments aim at creating cities with air quality sensors, renewable energy sources, and energy-efficient buildings. Smart cities equipped with such technologies get access to data regarding low air quality and main sources and causes of air pollution. It also provides additional data needed by officials to develop plans to fight pollution.
More opportunities for economic development
When considerable investments are made in improvements of a city, a tremendous expansion in the gross domestic product is seen. Numerous private sector organizations also collaborate with local governments and invest massive amounts of money in smart city initiatives. Smart cities investments play a crucial role in improving a city’s local and global competitiveness for attracting new businesses and residents. Open data platforms with easily accessible city information provide businesses with the right information to make informed decisions regarding where they want to set up base.
Improved government-citizen relationship
In today’s tech-driven world, citizens also expect their cities to deliver digital services, like intuitive self-service portals, websites, and mobile apps. The deployment of modern digital services for citizens makes the living experience of people in smart cities even more attractive and promotes a better, more connected citizen experience.
Smart cities result in overall enhanced civic engagement and increased trust in city officials. Things like interactive maps, government data and performance dashboards, budget transparency, and live streaming of city hall meetings help in forging better relationships with residents.
PruTech Solutions has collaborated with multiple agencies to create smart cities and urban transformation solutions. Click here to know more about our smart city and smart governance solutions.
Sources
[1] Meticulous Research® (2021) “SMART TRANSPORTATION MARKET WORTH $33.6 BILLION BY 2028” [Online] Available from: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/pressrelease/418/smart-transportation-market-2028 [Accessed December 2021]