What's Exactly a Smart City? How does It Differs from Other Cities?

Abstract 

“Smart city” is a term used to refer to a city that has greater operational efficiency than others due to the use of technology. This sort of city is built keeping in mind the requirements of the modern city-dweller. Some of the key functionalities found in such a city include the following:

• Promoting economic growth
• Giving the citizens a “smart” living environment
• Being highly operational and efficient
• Improving the overall quality of life of the citizens.

In the modern world, there is a lot of importance of smart cities as it introduces a new way of living for people. To know more about this concept, read the information given below.

Keywords:

Smart city, Operational Efficiency, SmarArchitecture, IoT Infrastructure, Smart Connectivity, Clean City 

Learning Outcomes :

After undergoing this article you will be able to understand the following 

1. What's Smart City?

2. Why smart cities are needed?

3. What's the Characteristics of Smart City?

4. What's the Role of Technology in Building Smart Cities?

5. What's the parameters of smart City?

6. How to develop a smart City?

7. Benefits of smartcity

8. Disadvantages of smart City

9. Conclusions

10. FAQs

References 

1. What's Smart City?

We've been hearing the term "smart city" a lot lately in various forums. But what is a smart city? As the name implies, it is a city that effectively uses information and communication technology to benefit its residents. Governments around the world have recently adapted and improved wireless technologies to develop better infrastructure and facilities for their residents.

With the increased use of new technologies, cities can create more sustainable and efficient operating methods. Moreover, the demands of the modern citizen are ever-evolving, and the infrastructure of a traditional city is often unaccommodating to these demands. Here is how smart cities can help:

• Giving the contemporary citizen the infrastructure and lifestyle they need
• A smart city can become the hub of all technical and modern activities and businesses
• Convenient living
• Modern and better-planned housing structures

2. Why Smart Cities are needed?

As the lifestyle of individuals and communities around the globe evolves, dependency on technology for a more comfortable living is increasing. The concept of an intelligent city introduces a new way of living for citizens, with more technology involved. Here is why smart cities are important in the 21st century.

• Modern infrastructure based on technology
• Convenient public transportation
• Environmental-friendly infrastructure
• Better city plans
• Accessible and efficient surroundings

3. What's the Characteristics Smart City ?

Smart cities are different from other cities in many ways. The advanced resources used in such a city make the lives of the citizens easier. From the infrastructure to technology - everything is well-planned in a smart city. On the other hand, in a regular city, existing resources are not always used to their full potential. Neither is the city planned in a way that makes the convenience of the citizen the topmost priority. Here are some smart city characteristics:

• Modern infrastructure based on high technology
• Use of Artificial Intelligence
• Machine Learning
• Sustainable City Plan

4. What's the Role of Technology in Building Smart Cities?

Smart city technologies improve communication, transport, energy use, infrastructure development, and connectivity. Following are some ways in which smart cities are implementing sustainable and improved technology for the benefit of the people.

Reduced Costs with Smart Energy

The majority of smart cities are embarking on sustainable and efficient means of energy. Several public places are now lit using solar panels with energy-efficient LED lights.

Renewable energy is adopted by several smart cities in public places and private homes. This ensures the conservation of our environment and better management of energy. It also prevents issues of blackouts and allows better management of electric usage.

Improved Health and Mobility

With improved green technology like electric vehicles, real-time traffic monitoring, and smart parking, cities make living healthy and efficient. The use of electric vehicles for public transport can significantly decrease the pollution levels in the city and ensure better health for the people. In a smart city, real-time traffic monitoring with efficient cameras and sensors can help reduce traffic issues and allow the mobility of people and goods.

Enhancing Partnerships with Smart Choices

Smart cities demand the implementation of smart technologies, which improves partnerships between involved stakeholders. The public and private sectors can collaborate and promote creative ways of using technology. These partnerships also contribute to an increase in the local economy and further boost the overall impression of the country.

5. What's the parameters of smart City?

Smart cities have several features included in them, including a smart healthcare system, governance, transportation system, better surveillance for security, smart infrastructure, better job opportunities, and every other facility and amenities for comfortable living.

The core infrastructure elements in Smart Cities include:

• Adequate water supply.
• Assured electricity supply.
• Sanitation, including solid waste management.
• Efficient urban mobility and public transport.
• Affordable housing, especially for the poor.
• Robust IT connectivity and digitalization.

6. How to develop a smart City?

A city's smartness is determined using a set of characteristics, including:

• An infrastructure based around technology.
• Environmental initiatives.
• Effective and highly functional public transportation.
• Confident and progressive city plans.
• People able to live and work within the city, using its resources.

7. Benefits of smart city

The top 10 benefits of smart cities are the following 

• More effective, data-driven decision-making. ...
• Enhanced citizen and government engagement. 
• Safer communities. ...
• Reduced environmental footprint. ...
• Improved transportation. ...
• Increased digital equity. ...
• New economic development opportunities. 
• Efficient public utilities.
• Improved infrastructure
• Increased workforce engagement

8. Disadvantages of smart City

Drawbacks or disadvantages of smart city

➨Even if money was available, most of the smart technologies are still in their pre-commercial stage. Cities lack technology related skills and capacity. ➨Cities find it difficult to work across departments and boundaries. 

➨There are concerns about data privacy and security.

9. Conclusions

A smart city is an innovative concept that requires careful planning and smart execution. Otherwise, it won’t matter if you have LVT flooring or the most luxurious bathroom. Improper planning for smart cities could result in disastrous results for urban infrastructures on a large scale.

10. FAQs

Q. What Are  Focus Areas of Smart Cities?

Ans.:

Smart cities refer to urban regions where the infrastructure improves the quality of life using technology. Generally, smart cities have automated systems for different purposes. As a result, you will find digital solutions to common problems, making people’s lives easier.

Typically, smart cities focus on aspects such as:

• Home and office security
• Clean environment
• Smart healthcare services
• Improved mobility
• Smarter and convenient transportation

The introduction of smart cities has given a new meaning to luxurious living. So, while it’s great to shop glass tiles, fluted tile, etc., in your favorite tile store, it’s equally important to enhance your homes and offices with digital solutions and play your role in developing a smart city.

References 

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