Intelligent....Thinking Cities?

The Smart City






I've finally moved on from my discussion of transport options, mainly because I've exhausted most of them but also because there are so many other aspects of sustainable development that I want to cover and explore in this semester.

What has been popping up lately has been discussions of Smart Cities. One of our lectures earlier in the year was in regards to Smart Cities yet I didn't really understand how they could be useful for sustainable development.

However, after more research and realisation, I have changed my mind (I hope you are reading this Arvind).

So for the next couple of posts, I want to explore the phenomenon that is the Smart City. What are they? What are they doing? Will it be implemented in every city? And most importantly, how can it impact our sustainability?


Firstly, we need some context on cities and why they are morphing to become 'smart'.

Rural to urban migration is becoming increasingly more prevalent across the world. It is estimated that 70% of the worlds population will be living in cities.

This influx of people will pose enormous problems for infrastructure, transport and resources.

Even Sydney is predicted to increase its population by nearly a million people in the next 30 years.

These statistics have forced governments to react and introduce changes that will ably support the requirements of an excess of people.

So the Smart City template is one that a number of countries and cities are turning too. Essentially the Smart City is (as defined by Anuj Puri on this blog website ---->>>>> http://www.thehindu.com/features/homes-and-gardens/green-living/what-are-smart-cities/article6321332.ece:

"A 'smart city' is an urban region that is highly advanced in terms of overall infrastructure, sustainable real estate, communications and market viability. It is a city where information technology is the principal infrastructure and the basis for providing essential services to residents. The IT infrastructure allows feedback to be given automatically, creating a highly connected, intelligent city"

While that is a broad term (which is expected in this field), what should we expect from a Smart City?

Here are some of the broader expectations (and some of my expectations) for a Smart City:

1. Smart Parking, with systems in place to alert people of free parking 
2. Integrated transport systems: A public transport systems that provides information in real time, and is adaptable to every need. 
3. Traffic Management: Traffic response systems that manage traffic flow and congestion 
4. Lighting: Smart lighting that adjusts the light depending on its surrounds 
5. Waste Management: Efficient waste collection 
6. Maintenance: More streamlined systems in place to alert the necessary bodies of damage to areas of the city, buildings or even people 
7. Collection of Information: Information that is tied in together, to enable users to access with greater ease and in greater depth 

 I think that the above characteristics are merely scratching the surface of what a Smart City is and what it can be.

To further my involvement in Smart Cities, for the next blog I will look to discuss a case study in the City of Songdo, South Korea, which was constructed and built to be a Smart City.

To read up on what a Smart City is, and what is not, check out these articles.

The Guardian article is very very interesting, and will be worth an entire blog!

http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2014/dec/17/truth-smart-city-destroy-democracy-urban-thinkers-buzzphrase

http://www.thehindu.com/features/homes-and-gardens/green-living/what-are-smart-cities/article6321332.ece

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/246019/bis-13-1209-smart-cities-background-paper-digital.pdf