Smart Cities: what they really are

Wikipedia defines a Smart City as “an urban development vision to integrate information and communication technology (ICT) and Internet of things (IoT) technology in a secure fashion to manage a city’s assets“.

But it’s simply a city where everything is connected but anonymously, mainly just numbers and facts, that can increase the quality of life.

Smart cities become more efficient because the anonymous data received and make everything more ecologically friendly. Part of this is the city using what they need when they need it. Street lamps, for example, become more efficient – real-time data improving both lighting and safety.

Traffic jams can be minimised, reducing air pollution, when vehicle counters supply live data to the smart city. Bicycling and walking are encouraged by monitoring and improving the use of cycle ways and footpaths. Information on available parking spaces transmitted to drivers saves them driving around the city.

Another benefit is to improve peoples’ health and help the community. Encouraging the population to drive less and walk more makes for fitter people. A smart bus network with city wide wifi is another way to get people out of their cars.

Of course Smart Cities are evolving. They will carry on improving and will become part of our future.

Contact us for details of how are systems are being integrated into smart cities.