Intelligent Cities: What Smart Cities Actually Offer

Surely you have heard one or both concepts, smart cities or smart cities. The first time we listen to it, futuristic cities come to mind, but smart cities go further and their objective is to improve the lives of their citizens. We encourage you to join us on this small tour of its characteristics, benefits, how is the situation in Spain and in the world. Shall we travel?

What are smart cities?

Smart cities is an emerging concept that defines cities in which traditional networks and services become more efficient with the use of information and communication technologies (ICT). The provision of digital and public telecommunications services for the benefit of its inhabitants and companies, translates into greater economic, social and environmental quality development, through participatory action and the commitment of all citizens.

This concept appeared in the 90s but, nevertheless, it has been increasing for just a decade thanks to the impulse generated by the development of technology. Many efforts are being made at all levels and in different areas, finding increasingly higher investments and a multitude of projects, initiatives and innovations in this type of city. This creates a new market niche that, consequently, generates specialized jobs.

Key concepts: Smart services in smart cities

• Smart mobility: technology plays an important role in creating interconnected and sustainable transport networks to facilitate people mobility. Transit through the city is done more efficiently and accessible.

• Smart environment: this concept is directly related to the environment and the reduction of pollution. The aim is to create an intelligent environment through the use of sensors that provide the necessary information, with the corresponding data collection, in order to create a clean, green and renewable energy environment.

• Smart people: this term has to do with the education that will be granted to the citizens of these smart cities, seeking to reduce the digital gap between digital natives and older people, through proper training in key subjects for urban development and skills digital.

• Smart governance: collaboration is sought between the different departments of the city administration and citizens for the elaboration of policies that promote the incorporation of new technologies in the city at the service of the inhabitants. It seeks to promote the well-being of citizens through actions aimed at the efficient and sustainable management of resources

• Smart living: smart cities improve the lives and satisfaction of their inhabitants by making responsible and efficient use of the resources available to the city. From this concept arises the development of sustainable building, which include both security, communications, process automation and logistical support, as well as the development of new intelligent services for health.

• Smart economy: this new approach to the economy is based on focusing business towards the consumer, with the key points being innovation and personalization of consumer service, which suit your tastes.

Smart Cities in Spain

Spain is a country that has taken responsibility for the future and strives to create cities that have urban and sustainable technological development, becoming one of the world leaders.

One of the most developed smart cities in Spain is Santander, a pioneer in this transformation through the use of technology and the network to improve services and the quality of life of its citizens. It currently has a network that covers information from multiple services, ranging from the measurement of air pollution to the monitoring of available parking spaces on the streets. Other cities such as Zaragoza, Malaga, Madrid and Barcelona have strongly joined this initiative to improve cities, and it already has public electric mobility vehicles and small sensor networks that will be expanded to cover more information gathering than what happens in the city.

Top 10 smart cities in the world

We bring you the top 10 of the world’s smart cities, here they go:

1. New York. His most prominent project is the Automted Meter Reading (AMR) to monitor daily water consumption and his smart bins. They also have a network of different smart sensors to monitor key parameters in the city.
2. London. Highlight its Smart London Board with updates and recommendations for a smarter life.
3. Paris. In its case we can highlight its 200 km of fully automated metro and its smart living..
4. Tokio. The Japanese capital has special initiatives to make life easier for the elderly population, it is also one of the most technological cities in the world.
5. Reykjavik. It is one of the cities that most cares for the environment. It has 100% renewable hydroelectric and geothermal energy.
6. Singapur. They have a network of sensors to collect data on pedestrian or car traffic. They also analyze other parameters such as wind flows, solar penetration or shaded areas to make better planning for new buildings.
7. Copenhague. It also has an especially positive score on environmental issues, specifically in terms of its traffic monitoring system, air quality, waste, energy and other operations in real time. They also highlight their smart governance measures.
8. Oslo. These lights adjust the amount of light based on the needs of the moment. They also have an intelligent license plate reading system to control traffic.
9. Oslo. Its most outstanding project is that of sensoring the city to control lighting, heating and cooling, in addition to having a smart grid.
10. Dubai. They have a digitization plan for all government services, including transportation, communications, infrastructure, electricity, etc. They are also involved in the Dubai Hyperloop project to transport travelers using vacuum technology.

Benefits of smart cities

The goal of creating smart cities is to improve the quality of life of people and the environment in which they live. Furthermore, the transformation towards a smart city has some advantages:

• New businesses are created that adapt to the new needs of citizens, which are specific and related to smart cities and all the terms associated with them.
• It improves the environment in which people live and the urban planning of cities. For example, the increase in green areas, peripheral areas, etc.

• New smart buildings reduce the costs they generate due to new construction models based on optimization and energy savings.
• Integration of the IoT (Internet of Things) in new areas related to the improvement of services, habitability etc.

Do you want to apply the technology of Smart Cities in any of your Projects? Contact us!

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