In the past ten years, as cities have grown larger and more crowded, there has been a shift towards creating “smart cities.” These are cities that use technology to improve life for residents. However, building such cities will take a long time, as the process is complex and requires significant planning and resources.
According to research , more than half of the world’s population lives in cities, and by 2050 this share will increase to 68%. To improve the situation, the world is moving towards creating “smart city” projects.
“Smart city” is a concept of introducing technologies into urban life. The city of the future differs from the usual one in three ways:
- modern infrastructure with which you can monitor and manage the city;
- a centralized command center that collects and analyzes information and makes strategic decisions;
- a network that links the infrastructure and the command center into one “organism.” In it, man, technology and nature coexist harmoniously.
Systems aimed at creating smart cities are already being used in 28 European countries and some Asian countries, as well as in Canada and the United States. For example, in China’s IT capital Shenzhen, they are coping with water shortages for their 11 million population thanks to technology.
The city has installed two million sensors in its water supply system. These sensors collect data on water usage and quickly adjust the water distribution as needed.
And in Singapore, through the use of an intelligent transport system, it is possible to regulate traffic: by optimizing the schedule and routes of public transport, the authorities avoid rush hour crushes and traffic accidents.
In Russia, the “Digital Economy” national program is being implemented until 2024. Although 37 Russian cities are part of the program, only Moscow is currently the closest to becoming a smart city. The city is developing video surveillance and traffic management systems as part of its progress. It also occupies a leading position in the development of “electronic government”.
These examples briefly show how things are going in the direction of urban development around the world. For further development, an action plan should be developed, because without it, the construction of a “smart city” will not happen. The clearer and more elaborate the project is, the more likely it is to be implemented.
What is Needed to develop a “smart city”
Humanity is at the stage of development where technological inventions can replace its labor. This new system, in which people have more freedom from routine, must provide an opportunity to realize creative abilities, so that man can continue to invent and change the world.
A smart city should create all the conditions for improving life so that humanity can focus on solving more global problems. For example, problems related to global warming or life on other planets. Here is what needs to be done in this direction to implement the concept of a smart city.
Implementation of Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence technologies can reduce the workload of city management specialists. Routine operations should be transferred to virtual machines to robotize processes.
For example, by introducing artificial intelligence into the process of building a “smart city,” the consequences of certain urban planning decisions are calculated, which helps to avoid mistakes already at the architectural planning stage.
Improving Transport Regulation
“Smart city” involves the development of a public transport network, as well as the optimization of vehicle routes. This helps to save fuel costs and make transport environmentally friendly.
Also, to solve transport problems in “smart cities”, 5G modules are being introduced. Cars equipped with these technologies will exchange information about what is happening around them: unmanned transport control will become realistic.
Ensuring public safety
Security is a pressing issue for cities because CCTV systems are not always effective. But using smart technologies with intelligent tracking gives results. The difference is that a smart system not only connects multiple CCTV cameras into a single network, but also identifies criminals through intelligent tracking.
Development of electronic government services
The world is seeing the development of government “clouds” — online services for citizens. Russia is seeing progress in this area.
For example, the Moscow portal Mos.ru has organized end-to-end integration with systems and services for city residents that in one way or another affect people’s lives. This helps managers respond more quickly to citizens’ requests, thereby making their lives more comfortable.
Development of energy efficiency and resource conservation
Extensive urban growth in the past has led to a shortage of electricity in the present. To solve this problem, engineers and managers are trying to figure out how to save and use resources efficiently.
For example, the housing and utilities system uses “smart” sensors and meters to monitor water pressure, detect leaks and promptly eliminate the problem, which reduces not only water consumption but also operating costs. At the same time, projects related to the use of alternative energy sources are developing. However, this aspect of the development of “smart cities” causes obvious difficulties.
What is holding back the development of smart cities?
The first factor is infrastructure. Most projects are implemented in cities with existing infrastructure, and attempts to integrate with legacy utilities are not always justified. Implementing artificial intelligence into old utilities is expensive and troublesome.
The second factor is the existing technologies. It is no secret that renewable energy systems are currently expensive and ineffective. The issue of human waste has not yet been resolved. Everything that is being built and implemented is not new and does not make life easier.
The third factor is the disunity of software products developed to automate technological processes. Corporations spend a huge amount of money and effort solving their specific problem. But to create a “smart city”, on the contrary, it is necessary to combine all information flows into a seamless management process.
The fourth factor is money. To create a smart city, it is necessary to simultaneously finance all areas of life support and creation of a comfortable environment, which is beyond the power of even large investors today.
What awaits the cities of the future
I think today there is not a single “smart city” in its full sense. However, most countries are moving towards implementing this project.
The pace of construction will be stable, but not rapid, since such large-scale projects are not implemented in a short time and require new technologies and significant cash injections.
I hope that the concept of smart cities will still be implemented in megacities, financial centers of the world, and people will be able to experience all the charm of a comfortable life.
