When we step back from high emotions—in either direction—after the U.S. election last week, we see millions of extraordinary people doing yeoman’s work to make our lives, cities, and communities better and more resilient. Hundreds of ways they are doing so were on vivid display at the Smart Cities Expo World Congress 2024 last week in Barcelona, Spain which I had the privilege of exploring. People from across the globe who share a fervent desire to make our cities run more efficiently, serve more residents more effectively and be more resilient – that is, to make them “smarter” — gathered and displayed their solutions.
It's a living reminder that clever, determined, creative people will always use their imagination, resources, networks and elbow grease to find a way to solve every day challenges both large and small. Most of the people I talked to at the Expo – from the Netherlands, to Cyprus and Singapore, from Europe to the Middle East, and fellow Americans – are quick to say their work continues no matter who sits in the White House.
How connectivity is shaping smart cities: The Internet of Things and its real-world impact right now
In an increasingly digital world, the right connectivity is essential for meeting the complex needs of modern businesses.
But looking beyond its application in everyday business use, connectivity is also paramount for enabling the innovative technologies powering modern smart cities.
To provide context for those who haven't followed the meteoric rise of the Internet of Things (IoT), in 2023, there were 15.9 billion IoT devices connected globally. By 2030, that figure is forecast to more than double.
In early November at the Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona—the Smart Cities equivalent of The Oscars—Shenzhen picked up the prestigious Smart City of 2024 award for its ‘Smarter City, Better Life’ initiative.
The initiative focused on transforming the Chinese city through digitalisation, advanced urban management, and sustainable development to tackle challenges like dense population, resource limitations, and environmental concerns. Shenzhen is a technology hothouse and a showcase for China’s biggest technology players, including Huawei.
Weiterlesen: Why smart cities must get smarter – but not too smart
Today’s smart metering solutions have evolved with a wide range of connectivity options and choosing the right solution can unlock new levels of performance, scalability and cost-efficiency.
Smart metering has been a driving force in the IoT revolution for over 25 years. Utilities have long faced the challenge of collecting data from connected meters in remote, often hard-to-reach locations – underground, in pits or even submerged in water.
ThoughtLab is launching its latest global study of 250 cities that shows how city leaders are advancing their social, sustainability and economic goals.
A select group of cities are jumping ahead when it comes to being “future ready,” according to a global study, conducted by thought leadership research company ThoughtLab.
From Future Vision to Urban Reality is being launched at Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona, which runs from 5-7 November.