The number of urban residents is growing at a rapid pace. In fact, the influx of new residents from rural to urban areas is so massive that 70% of the global population is projected to live in the cities by the year 2050, according to the UN. This rapid growth in population has many cities turning to smart technologies to tackle the issues that emerge as a result of urbanization and environmental changes. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at this digital transformation of urban areas into smart cities and their impact on our lives.
What makes a city ‘smart’?
In order for a city to be considered ‘smart’, it has to rely on technology and data to improve the welfare of its citizens, manage resources more effectively, as well as improve its sustainability and boost its operational efficiency. By making use of information and communication technology (ICT), a smart city is able to solve different city problems and improve the way it functions. From city planning and security to urban waste management and water efficiency, a smart city needs to work with different industries and collect valuable data. The data is then analyzed and used to improve the systems and city components. Over time, the smart city becomes more efficient when it comes to resource management, thus becoming a more sustainable, healthier environment for urban dwellers.
Mobile apps and digital road signage as a way of cutting commuting time
For residents of smart urban areas, commuting in a cramped and crowded bus or getting stuck in a traffic jam on their way to work is a thing of the past. Thanks to a number of apps, smart city commuting time is cut by up to 20%, and sometimes even more than that. Digital road signage is another example of the application of smart technology in transportation. Both of them are of great help to motorists as they inform them about any delays so they can easily modify their route, thus avoiding traffic congestion. And for those who struggle finding a parking space in cities, there are parking apps that they can use to find a vacant spot and park there, thus taking the frustration out of the equation.
Smart public lighting translates to increased safety and energy efficiency
When it comes to smart cities’ connectivity, smart lighting is considered one of the essential elements. Aside from being equipped with wireless networks and cameras, smart public lighting systems also come with sensors that can help the pedestrians, drivers, and cyclists to move freely regardless of whether it’s late at night or early in the morning. This is just one of the examples that demonstrate how quality street lighting and public safety go hand in hand and just goes to show the importance of public lighting when it comes to the city’s infrastructure. Other than that, smart lighting has also proved to be very efficient in terms of energy consumption, and the fact that it requires less maintenance than standard lighting is just an added bonus.
Smart city technology as a way of lowering the environmental impact
We already mentioned how one of the aims of smart cities is to improve its operational efficiency as well as its services. This directly relates to improved sustainability of the cities, and the smart city technologies have found their application in a number of industries. From improving waste removal services by incorporating smart bins and smart waste management solutions to reducing water waste with the help of smart water systems and platforms, cities can reduce their environmental footprint and preserve essential resources. Similarly, the smart lighting systems ensure energy conservation and reduce light pollution while the connected systems in smart buildings help cut down the buildings’ energy consumption while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Wireless sensor networks as a tool for environmental monitoring
Another way smart cities can have a positive impact on the environment is with the help of tools for environmental monitoring. By relying on wireless sensor networks, smart cities can easily obtain information about a number of environmental factors, from humidity and temperature to the quality of the air. This technology can be of particular use for cities where air pollution is a serious issue, which is usually the case with areas of the city that are densely populated. The data that is collected is then analyzed and the city officials can easily see which areas need improvement in terms of the environment while also getting an insight into which city areas are to be avoided on certain days as a way of mitigating health risks of exposure to poor air quality in the city.
Given the environmental issues and the effects of urbanization, investing in smart city technology is imperative for urban areas. Although there are still some challenges cities will need to overcome (e.g. lack of proper funding), there is no doubt that smart technology systems will continue to develop as more city officials realize their many benefits.
