Technologies are fundamental to the functioning of smart cities
IIn addition to 5G, which is key to smart cities due to its characteristics, smart cities rely on a set of technologies that work together to better manage resources.
Through the IoT (Internet of Things), smart cities interconnect sensors and devices throughout the city, which collect real-time information on traffic, waste, weather, etc.
All this information is collected and sorted using big data and stored using edge computing and cloud computing for quick access. This information is processed using AI (Artificial Intelligence) to optimise urban processes and services such as security, mobility and energy. Technologies such as blockchain are used in information management to ensure the security of all this collected and generated data.
Together, all these technologies create a system that automatically adapts to the changing needs of a Smart City.
The role it can play in the development of a smart city
AI can be seen as the brain of the smart city. It is this technology that performs the tasks of optimising and automating a multitude of urban services in a dynamic and efficient manner.
It allows traffic information to be interpreted and an optimal response to be generated to reduce congestion and emissions, through smart traffic lights and route optimisation. It can also dynamically improve urban safety by analysing security cameras or people density sensors to anticipate incidents. In addition, it plays a key role in energy reduction, emergency services response and much more.
In this way, AI actively participates in all activities involved in a smart city, providing it with predictive and adaptive capabilities.
The everyday aspects of urban environments that are most improved by the evolution of smart cities
The everyday aspects that could be improved most directly in a smart city would be:
- Public transport, which would be more efficient and adapted to demand.
- Personal transport, which would be faster thanks to optimised routes and traffic lights.
- Less pollution, meaning cleaner air and less noise.
- Simpler administrative procedures.
- Greater security in public spaces thanks to camera surveillance and the arrival of dynamic resources according to the need detected by sensors.
- Improved waste and resource management.
- Lighting and services adapted to circumstances.
Benefits of smart cities
In addition to promoting energy savings, improved quality of life and sustainability, smart cities drive innovation and economic development by attracting talent and technological investment, generating skilled employment.
Citizen participation and process transparency are also strengthened through the use of digital tools. These tools also enable more personalised cultural and tourist experiences that enrich urban life.
How different will today’s cities be from those of the future?
The cities of the future will be very different from the idea of a city that we have today.
Automation will play a fundamental role in everyday life, with intelligent systems that will manage traffic, energy and security, among other things, quickly and almost invisibly. This will reduce costs and environmental impacts.
Mobility will be electric, autonomous and shared, promoting smoother traffic flow and reducing journey times, pollution and noise.
Urban environments will incorporate more green spaces, sustainable infrastructure and designs focused on people’s well-being.
Public administration will operate in a much more digital environment, which will streamline procedures and improve transparency and citizen participation.
Overall, the cities of the future will be much more connected and focused on making people’s lives easier.
What can coordination between different smart cities contribute?
Coordination between smart cities will enable the sharing of data and best practices, which will facilitate learning from both failed and successful experiences, thus optimising resources, as the experience and data of neighbouring cities can be extrapolated to one’s own city.
The interoperability of services must also be guaranteed, offering citizens a better experience when moving between cities without the need to use multiple platforms. This coordination also helps to establish common security and privacy standards. Furthermore, this coordination helps to scale successful projects from one city to another, among other things.
The challenges facing smart cities
Smart cities face several fundamental challenges that go beyond privacy and infrastructure. Smart cities must overcome obstacles such as the management, processing and security of large amounts of data.
The mass collection of information requires clear policies to ensure privacy and ethical use, while cybersecurity is essential to prevent attacks that could compromise the sensitive information collected.
Another major challenge is the interoperability of all sensors and devices. All systems must be coordinated using common standards to ensure the viability of projects without excessively increasing their cost.It is also crucial to ensure digital inclusion so that all citizens have sufficient access and digital skills to benefit from a smart city.
