What is a smart city?

Smart cities use the power of connected technology to increase efficiencies, maximise resources and improve the quality of services and general quality of life for their residents. A smart city represents a space in which humans and technology interact in a more intelligent, connected and automated way, thanks to trends such as big data, artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT).

Cities around the world are already a lot smarter than they were a few short years ago. Initiatives can cover a range of applications, from power distribution, transport systems, street lights, and even rubbish collection. 

The truth is that these changes can’t come soon enough. By 2050, the UN predicts that 68% of the world’s population will live in urban areas. With more and more people living in cities, we can expect an increase in associated environmental, societal, and economic challenges. But by making cities smarter, we have a better chance of overcoming these challenges as well as improving key quality of life indicators for city-dwellers. 

What are the benefits of smart cities? 

From conserving resources to making cities safer places to live, the benefits of smart cities are limitless. Here are some examples of some of the most common applications and advantages today: 

Traffic control

Navigating and negotiating traffic is one of the greatest challenges faced by those who live in cities. Fortunately, smart technology offers some promising solutions, such as:

• Adjusting public transport routes in real-time according to demand
• Intelligent traffic light systems to improve congestion

Resource efficiency 

By automating functions that were previously carried out manually, cities are able to make better use of human resources. Rather than the somewhat archaic notion of AI and automation replacing human jobs, technology works hand-in-hand to boost process efficiency.

Examples include using smart meters for utilities, read and reviewed by humans back at base, instead of relying on doorstop manual readings, or sensors attached to refuse containers to report which ones actually need to be emptied, determining a more logistically, environmentally efficient use of transport routes. Smart technology removes the guesswork, allowing resources to be deployed where they are needed most. 

Energy efficiency

By monitoring energy consumption in real-time, cities are better positioned to identify wastage and energy efficiency opportunities. Smart lighting also forms part of an energy efficiency strategy, allowing lights to be adjusted or dimmed based on real-time data.

Safety 

Thanks to the proliferation of connected technologies, cities are able to use real-time data to improve safety and boost incident response times. In times of a global pandemic, smart technology can also be deployed for access control and occupancy monitoring. 

Greater collaboration

Smart city technology encourages city residents to become active participants in the running of their cities. For example, apps allow citizens to report local issues, connect and share resources.

By understanding just how beneficial a smart city can be, we only have to look to real life examples.

London 

In 2020, London was once again declared the smartest city in the world, according to the seventh edition of the IESE Cities in Motion Index 2020. 

This annual index analyses the level of development of 174 world cities across nine dimensions that are considered key to truly smart and sustainable cities:

1. Economy
2. Environment
3. Governance
4. Human capital
5. International projection
6. Mobility and transportation
7. Social cohesion
8. Technology
9. Urban planning

London has held the number one ranking since 2017. It’s also interesting to note that the city houses more startups and programmers than almost any other city in the world. London is well-placed in almost all of the nine dimensions, except for social cohesion and the environment. 

According to the ESE Cities in Motion Index 2020, another six cities in the UK make the top 100 list of the world’s smartest cities: 

• Edinburgh - position 47
• Glasgow - position 65
• Manchester - position 71
• Birmingham - position 73
• Leeds - position 79
• Nottingham - position 91
• Liverpool - position 94

Here are some of their key initiatives and focus areas: 

Edinburgh

The Scottish capital city has a smart city vision for the year 2050 addressing four themes:

1. Carbon neutrality
2. Eradicating poverty
3. Re-imagining public space
4. Making the city more caring

The city has already piloted many smart city-related schemes, including a Business Process Change pilot. This initiative focuses on lean thinking and customer journey mapping data to improve customer service within the city.

Glasgow

The Glasgow City Council has created a host of smart developments, such as:

• Glasgow Operations Centre
• MyGlasgow app
• Active Travel Demonstrator apps for cycling and walking

Manchester

Manchester Smarter City‘s vision is based around six key themes: live, work, play, move, learn and organise. The City Council is working with organisations such as the University of Manchester, Cisco, BT and Siemens on the  IoT-focused demonstrator 'CityVerve', which laid the groundwork for long-term smart city planning and development.

Birmingham

In November 2012, Birmingham City Council released the Smart City Commission Vision to address challenges related to healthcare, employment, mobility, data access and environmental issues. Realising this vision has resulted in plans for a new tech sector, a new hospital, new university research centres and a new station and surrounds to accommodate the HS2 railway. 

Leeds

Leeds City Council’s Smart Leeds‘ programme identifies three priorities: health and wellbeing, housing and travel and transport. Contributing to these focus areas are initiatives such as electric vehicle fleets, Clean Air Zones, affordable Internet access in all homes and a new technology testing ground. 

Nottingham

The Human Factors Research Group at the University of Nottingham oversees a key smart city development in Nottingham titled ‘Smart Campus – Smart Cities’. Researchers are focusing on using open data and digital technologies to enhance safety and responsiveness on the streets. Nottingham was also named the smartest city in the UK for energy in 2017.

Liverpool

Liverpool hosted the Global Smart City Summit as part of the 2018 International Business Festival. This event saw software solutions firm Sigma Systems announce a partnership with Liverpool City Council to help the city improve its smart city status. 

What about those cities that fear getting left behind?

Creating a smart city may seem like a daunting prospect, but the truth is that it’s happening all around us already by default. Just think how ride-sharing apps have already transformed the transportation industry around the world. Smart technologies have become more accessible and more affordable, helping local councils to reinvigorate their towns and livelihoods.

A smart city doesn’t become a smart city overnight; rather, it becomes smart over time via the implementation of technology as and where it makes sense for that particular location. Partnering with a technology partner can help councils and cities navigate their transformation in an effective and sustainable way.