One of the key characteristics of a smart city is the ability to make effective connections among its citizens, assets and services. The smart city does this by using technology to support and improve the interaction among people and government. In doing so, a city enhances its citizens’ well-being as well as the city’s overall performance and efficiency.
Smart cities use information and technology to support a diverse array of assets and activities. Roads and buildings, infrastructure and public safety need a variety of technologies to increase productivity and quality. Non-physical functions such as permitting, planning and administration also use technology to streamline processes and manage costs. City leaders can draw information from multiple sources, enabling them to make better decisions and optimize the use of physical, human and fiscal resources.
Effective city management begins with knowing the location and condition of its physical assets. The information processes of smart cities can be broken into three main areas: Gathering and managing data; processing and analysis; and putting the resulting information to work in efficient, collaborative ways.
Gathering and Managing Data
With large geographic areas filled with structures and utilities, cities face a significant challenge in capturing data with sufficient detail. Information can be gathered using blended technologies for imaging, positioning and specialized information management.
For example, local governments in Italy’s Padua region began work to modernize the existing system of streetlights to increase efficiency, battle climate change and reduce light pollution. To develop the plan, they needed to create an inventory of the area’s streetlights. Using vehicle-mounted sensors, handheld devices and analytical software, contractors cut in half the number of field technicians needed for the project and reduced the time required for data collection by 20 percent.
In a three-month period, the team captured position and attribute data on more than 7,400 individual fixtures. In addition to faster and more precise data collection, the solution enabled field technicians to work safely while reducing disruption to traffic and commerce. The streetlight inventory was delivered to GIS and engineering design systems, where it provided planners with comprehensive information to develop new, energy efficient lighting for streets and public areas.
Transforming “Big Data” to “Smart Data”
Massive data sets offer enticing opportunities for cities. But big data is not valuable until it is put to use. To develop information suitable for specific needs and municipal functions, cities can use centralized tools for data management and utilization. Instead of separate data sets and applications (commonly known as data silos), important data can be efficiently shared and reused across functional lines.
In a city’s large, densely populated environment, unapproved vertical building activity can occur. The illegal buildings might be built higher than approved plans, or be extended after initial construction was completed. The illegal structures can present serious safety issues as well as cheat the city out of legitimate building fees and revenues from property taxes.
Collaborating with and Serving the Citizens
A key part of smart cities lies in effective interaction among government, citizens and businesses. The goal is to engage citizens by listening, analyzing and showing how their feedback affects plans and policies. In doing so, government establishes public trust and stronger communities through social inclusion.
By using modern approaches to connect city assets and services to residents, citizen involvement and satisfaction can be significantly improved. Web-based solutions provide easy access to many administrative and technical functions, streamlining transactions and increasing citizen participation in planning and operations. City residents can use online tools to report location-based safety and maintenance issues and track responses and corrective measures.
One example of this is the Finnish city of Jyväskylä, which implemented solutions for permitting, reservations and citizen engagement. Jyväskylä integrated cross-department workflows with location-based information that reduced time and complexity in permit processes. To encourage citizen interaction, Jyväskylä gathers public input on new projects and community needs. After implementing the new approaches, the city reported a 43-percent increase in citizen participation year-over-year.
First Steps to a Smart City
Cities don’t become smart overnight. The overall goal—moving from reactive management to proactive strategies—may best be achieved by identifying the opportunities within various city functions and implementing carefully chosen technological solutions.
Edited by
Ken Briodagh
