The concept of smart cities has risen in the estimation of urban planners of all descriptions around the world. Many believe, or are led to believe, a future smart city or an existing one that’s so remodelled would enhance affordability and sustainability. But will it? To answer that, grasping the concept first should be the right starting point.
In that respect, if assertions by the likes of Microsoft and IBM are taken at face value, a smart city is one that utilizes digital information and communication technology to enhance various aspects of urban life, from infrastructure to public services, citizen engagement to city tax receipts.
Weiterlesen: Where Do Sustainability And Affordability Sit In The Pursuit Of Smart Cities?
Smart cities aspire to be accessible for all citizens, but what level of accessibility have they actually achieved so far? According to our Global Accessibility Index, smart cities receive a solid rating.
An accessible city enables everyone to live, move around, and engage in urban life freely and without barriers. The goal of accessibility is to remove barriers and ensure that everyone can access public spaces, transportation, and services with ease. Smart cities strive to enhance accessibility by making public services universally reachable and promoting barrier-free urban planning. Our analysis shows that while there is still room for improvement in certain areas, smart cities generally demonstrate a high level of accessibility.
Cities, where almost 60 percent of all humans now live, often struggle with a long list of issues that include traffic congestion, inefficient public services, high carbon emissions, economic and public safety challenges, and aging water and energy systems. As a result, there’s a large and growing demand for novel solutions. It won’t come as a surprise that new technologies are playing an increasingly important role in addressing a wide range of urban needs.
The term smart city, which first began to appear in the 1990s, is used to describe an urban area that adopts innovative digital technologies, data, sensors, and connectivity to improve a community’s livability, workability, and sustainability.
Weiterlesen: Cognitive Cities Are Rising To Define Our Urban Future
Cities that fail to incorporate digital infrastructure will be left in the dust. We are coming to a point where technology is not simply supplementary but a necessity for proper living in urban areas. The Philippines is third in gold reserves; fourth in copper; fifth in nickel; and sixth in all other mineral deposits. We have the resources for great technology; we only have to nurture it properly.
The global smart cities market is growing: the market size was estimated at $877.6 million in 2024, and is now expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 29.4 percent from 2025 to 2030. The Asia-Pacific smart cities market dominated the global market and accounted for a 52.32 percent revenue share in 2024. To support the Philippines' growth of smart cities, I would like to share best practices from smart cities around the world.
Smart city innovation is accelerating—so fast, in fact, that distant visions of the future are now becoming present-day realities, transforming how communities live, work and play. At the heart of this transformation is digital connectivity infrastructure that underscores every aspect of modern life. This invisible foundation for the future is enabling more inclusive, sustainable and resilient outcomes for our cities and the communities that inhabit them.
When it comes to delivering a smart city or embarking on that journey, it’s critical that you understand the communities of today. How are people connecting? What are the moments that matter? What is essential for safety? How can we help restore local pride?
Weiterlesen: Thriving Smart Cities Unfold Where Connectivity Meets Community