Cities like Singapore, Seoul, Helsinki, Zurich, Oslo, Amsterdam, and New York are leading in the implementation of Smart City solutions. Even cities in Serbia are taking steps in line with recommendations related to:
- Reducing the use of motor vehicles
- Waste management
- Establishing recycling systems
- Efficient energy management
Smart cities leverage innovative technologies to improve urban services, thereby enhancing the quality of life for citizens. Urban environments serve as innovation hubs, contributing to over 80% of the gross domestic product, with around 55% of the global population residing in cities (according to World Bank sources from 2020). However, cities also account for about 75% of carbon dioxide emissions and consume 60–80% of energy and 75% of natural resources worldwide.
A smart city represents a fundamental trend in urban development based on exploiting technology to support sustainable growth. Economic development, social cohesion, and environmental protection are directly linked to the "smart" dimension of cities, involving the use of technology in almost all urban functions.
One of the key ICT elements of smart cities is the interconnected infrastructure of the Internet of Things (IoT). IoT can be described as a global network of interconnected devices (things) uniquely addressable based on standard communication protocols. The Internet of Things integrates billions of devices that can connect through internet, linking smart cities and citizens.
IoT technologies, including embedded sensor devices, generate a vast amount of data over time. New technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and deep learning show great potential for improving the efficiency and performance of big data analytics in IoT.
Deploying a range of applications to their maximum effect could potentially reduce fatalities like homicide, fires, and road traffic by 8 to 10 percent. Further, incidents of assault, burglary, auto theft, and robbery could be lowered by 30 to 40 percent. The benefits of these metrics, of course, is the peace of mind and freedom of movement they would give city residents. When it comes to crime, agencies can use data to deploy scarce resources and personnel more efficiently. For instance, real-time crime mapping utilizes statistical analysis to highlight patterns. Predictive policing can anticipate crime and when incidents do occur, applications such as home security systems, gunshot detection, and smart surveillance can make law-enforcement response happen more rapidly. Yet, data-driven policing must be deployed in a way that avoids criminalizing specific neighborhoods or demographic groups and protects civil liberties. Further, when lives are at stake, smart systems can optimize call centers and field operations while traffic-signal preemption can give emergency vehicles a clear driving path. These types of applications could cut emergency response times by 20 to 35 percent.
One of the aspects critical to improving quality of life is improving the daily commute. By 2025, cites that deploy smart-mobility applications may cut commuting times by 15 to 20 percent on average. This, of course, is related to variables such as the city’s density, commuting patterns, and existing transit infrastructure. Generally, cities with extensive, often-used transit systems benefit from applications that streamline the experience for riders through digital signage or mobile apps that deliver real-time information about delays. Further, installing IoT sensors on existing physical infrastructure can help crews fix problems before they turn into breakdowns and delays. Apps that ease road congestion are most effective in cities where driving and buses are the main form of transportation. Intelligent syncing of traffic signals have the potential to reduce average commutes by more than 5 percent in developing cities where a lot of people travel by bus. Real-time navigation alerts also let drivers know about delays, helping them choose the fastest route while smart-parking apps point them directly to available spots.
Environmental pressures multiply as urbanization, industrialization, and consumption grow. Applications like building-automation systems, some mobility apps, and dynamic electricity pricing could combine to cut emissions by 10 to 15 percent. Water-consumption tracking pairs advanced metering with digital feedback messages. It can encourage people to conserve and reduce consumption by 15 percent in cities where residential water usage is high. The biggest source of water waste in the developing world is water leakage from pipes. Using sensors and analytics can cut those losses by up to 25 percent. Applications such as pay-as-you-throw digital tracking can decrease the volume of solid waste per capita by 10 to 20 percent. Overall, cities can reduce unrecycled solid waste by 30 to 130 kilograms annually per person and save 25 to 80 liters of water per person each day and. On the air health front, air-quality sensors can identify sources of pollution and provide the basis for further action. In less than a year, Beijing reduced deadly airborne pollutants by roughly 20 percent by closely tracking the sources of pollution, thus regulating traffic and construction accordingly. Further, sharing real-time air-quality information with the public via smartphone apps lets individuals take protective measures. Depending on current pollution levels, this can reduce negative health effects by 3 to 15 percent.
Cities are getting smarter, more responsive, and more livable. Learn about smart cities and the various ways they improve the urban quality of life.
Cities are getting smarter. As a result, they are becoming more responsive and more livable – and today’s world is merely at the cusp of what technology could eventually do in the urban environment.
The concept of smart cities has gained significant traction over the last decade, driven by the intersection of rapid urbanization, technological advancements, and a growing focus on sustainable development.
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