Smart city

Overview

A smart city is an urban area that uses different types of electronic methods and sensors to collect data. Insights gained from that data are used to manage assets, resources and services efficiently; in return, that data is used to improve the operations across the city. This includes data collected from citizens, devices, buildings and assets that is then processed and analyzed to monitor and manage traffic and transportation systems, power plants, utilities, water supply networks, waste, crime detection, information systems, schools, libraries, hospitals, and other community services.

Concept

The smart city concept integrates information and communication technology (ICT), and various physical devices connected to the IoT network to optimize the efficiency of city operations and services and connect to citizens. Smart city technology allows city officials to interact directly with both community and city infrastructure and to monitor what is happening in the city and how the city is evolving.

Technological Foundations

Smart city applications are developed with the goal of improving the management of urban flows and allowing for real-time responses to challenges. A smart city may therefore be more prepared to respond to challenges than one with a simple 'transactional' relationship with its citizens. Yet, the term itself remains unclear to its specifics and therefore, open to many interpretations.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

ICT is used to enhance quality, performance and interactivity of urban services, to reduce costs and resource consumption and to increase contact between citizens and government. ICTs are used in smart cities for planning, administration, public security, education, healthcare and other public services.

Internet of Things (IoT)

The IoT is the network of physical objects—devices, vehicles, buildings and other items embedded with electronics, software, sensors, and network connectivity—that enables these objects to collect and exchange data. IoT is used to monitor and control the mechanical, electrical and electronic systems used in various types of buildings (e.g., public and private, industrial, institutions, or residential) in smart cities.

Implementation

Smart city applications are developed to manage urban flows and allow for real-time responses to challenges. The main goals are to improve the quality of life for citizens and to create a sustainable environment. There are many technological components to smart city creation including: automated sensor networks and data centres, ubiquitous networks and data centres, a cloud, mobile and real-time technologies, service oriented architecture technologies, Internet of Things (IoT) devices and sensors, and cyber-physical systems.

Challenges

Despite the benefits, the development of smart cities also introduces many challenges. These include the security of the city data and the privacy of the residents, coordination between different organizations, and ensuring the accessibility and usability of the technologies used.