Greener living doesn’t mean moving to the countryside. Urban life is getting more eco-conscious all the time, with smart cities introducing climate-friendly initiatives, accessible transportation options, and digital connectivity for all.
Advancing and emerging technologies mean urban living is getting smarter all the time. Understanding what makes a smart city might make you realise that you’re already living in one.
What Is a Smart City?
“Smart City” is an umbrella term for cities and towns carrying out one or more of a range of initiatives to solve existing urban challenges. These generally involve the use of advanced communication technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and automation, to promote more sustainable and accessible living.
Smart initiatives may include:
· Free Wi-Fi in public spaces, helping to narrow the digital divide
· Improved public transport infrastructure
· Digital healthcare platforms, sometimes connected to IoT devices, e.g., wearable tech
· Virtual spaces that showcase relevant, real-time data
· Smart homes with renewable energy sources or remote sensors and tech, e.g., Wi-Fi-enabled thermostats
· Public safety technology, such as CCTV combined with facial recognition
The goal of smart cities is better, more equitable living that is kinder to the environment.
Key Components of Smart Cities
Every smart city is different, but organisations that assess these emerging hubs note that the smartest urban areas tend to have a few things in common:
· Residents trust authorities and data-gathering entities
· Data gatherers are transparent about how data is used
· Infrastructure is well-maintained, and facilities are accessible to the majority of residents
· Cities where residents have a say in the development are more successful than those where this doesn’t occur
The data shows that technical sophistication is far less important than carefully aligned city goals and resident expectations.
Real Cities Getting Smarter Year by Year
The World Competitiveness Center (WCC) recently released a new index showing which cities are the “smartest.” This organisation defines smart cities as ones that “… strike a good balance between its economic prowess (jobs and business activity included), applied technology, environmental concerns, and inclusiveness.” They also note that the result of smart initiatives should be an improved quality of life for citizens.
However, even cities that didn’t meet the standards for the Smart City Index may be improving in ways that benefit residents. Here are just a few of the increasingly smart cities in the UK and overseas.
Edinburgh
Although Edinburgh doesn’t make it onto the Smart City Index, the Scottish capital is striving towards a more sustainable and connected way of life. The Smart City programme encompasses initiatives, including CCTV that connects directly to emergency services, for improving public safety. Sensors in bins alert waste collectors so that they’re emptied more regularly. CO2, temperature, and humidity sensors in smart homes aim to make life more comfortable. Edinburgh is now classed as a sustainable food city, thanks to efforts to reduce food poverty and waste.
Leeds
Not quite as far North, the Yorkshire metropolis of Leeds is now the 76th smartest city worldwide. Initiatives include smart traffic light sensors that capture data on traffic and congestion, and apps aimed at helping people recycle more. The University of Leeds has just agreed a landmark partnership with an innovation firm to collate a huge volume of data on urban living to help power smarter city development.
London
London is ranked as the fourth smartest city in the world and certainly the smartest in the UK. The capital has more EV charging stations and 5G data towers than any city in Europe. Publicly accessible data on transport and energy usage helps planners and architects make more sustainable choices that benefit the city’s populace.
Sunderland
Heading back north, Sunderland may not be on the index, but this ambitious city has been hitting headlines thanks to smart initiatives. Their goal is to ensure that residents can “…thrive in an increasingly digital world.” They’re tackling the digital divide head-on by launching digital health hubs that help disabled people or those on lower incomes access digital resources.
Singapore
The ninth smartest city in the world is one of the first to have its own virtual twin. Virtual Singapore is a “living” 3D model of the city that showcases real-time data on population, building status, infrastructure, and more. The goal is to support city planners and increase disaster preparedness.
Zurich
Switzerland’s largest city has retained the top spot on the Smart City Index. City authorities and planners here have taken a holistic approach, constantly reviewing energy usage, housing, mobility, and other issues that impact residents and their environment.
Take a look around next time you’re in the heart of the city. Can you see changes that could mean a shift toward smart city initiatives? From electric public transport options to free Wi-Fi in public spaces, there may be more transformation occurring than you realise. Next month, we’ll take a closer look at how children and young people can directly impact the design and development of smart cities — and how this benefits everyone.
Girls Into Coding holds events and bootcamps where girls ages 10–14 collaborate on exciting tech and engineering projects. We explore multiple topics connected to Tech for Good, including AgriTech, recycling, and smart city-related tech like the award-winning Air-Quality Pop-Up Pavilion. Find out how we’re transforming the girls in tech of today into the women in STEM of tomorrow.
