Data is important, but cities depend on infrastructure and people more than technology, says journalist
How smart are smart cities?
It's a simple question. But it isn't exactly easy to answer.
While smart technologies promise a safer city, and a sustainable and efficient way of living an urban life, the hype around smart cities can be a distraction from truly vital urban infrastructure, according to Toronto-based urban affairs journalist John Lorinc.
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Over the last two decades we have seen a dramatic shift in how we live. Until 2009, more people lived in rural than in urban areas. Today, around 55 per cent of the world’s population live in towns and cities, and up to 70 per cent will do the same by 2050.
Rapid urbanisation has presented us with critical challenges that, without being addressed, may have catastrophic consequences for urban residents. The reasons for this are simple; more people create more waste, more traffic, and more air pollution, whilst also putting immense pressure on public services. High concentrations of people in one area also cause living costs to rise, putting more and more people in danger of slipping below the poverty line.
Urban mobility is undergoing a transformativе shift as citiеs around the world grapplе with increasing population dеnsitiеs, traffic congеstion, and еnvironmеntal concerns.
To address thеsе challеngеs, many citiеs arе turning to tеchnology-drivеn solutions, and one such innovation is thе intеgration of Vеhiclе Data Platforms into thе fabric of smart citiеs.
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Data collected over the years can be deployed by AI to predict, handle resource allocation
After the 2008 financial crisis, a new approach to urbanism and service delivery began to take root worldwide. With advancements in technology, city planners devised new ways to monitor the needs of urban residents and use technology to deliver services.
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Smart cities are becoming a reality rather than a concept, and integrating technology into everyday infrastructure has become a norm.
They present local authorities with a vast number of opportunities, including data-driven decision-making, enhanced engagement between citizens and the government and a reduced environmental footprint.
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