Smart city is the one which is well connected, sustainable and resilient, where information is not just available but also findable, and this aim can’t be turned into reality without technologies. In other words, Smart city needs to leverage technologies to increase efficiencies and improve the quality of services and life for its residents, in fact the awareness that these technologies are beneficial for cities is growing and a lot of money is already being pumped in these innovations to design smart. let’s talk few (but impactful) of them here:
Internet Of Things (IoT)
In general, the term IoT (Internet of Things) refers to the rapidly growing number of digital devices. The more IoT is integrated into the urban environment and our daily lives, the more data on productivity, challenges, and opportunities for infrastructure and environmental development will be available. Out of all the technologies that have recently appeared, IoT can provide the strongest impact on the development of the cities of the future. IoT offers new opportunities for cities to use data to manage traffic, cut pollution, make better use of infrastructure, and keep citizens safe and clean. Due to the low cost of IoT, it is now possible to monitor and manage activities that were previously unreachable. The financial aspect is the best advantage, because this new technology could replace humans who are in charge of monitoring and maintaining supplies at multiple places.
Information and Communication Technology
ICT is playing a leading role in the development of smart cities. According to Wikipedia "ICT is an umbrella term that includes any communication device, encompassing radio, television, cell phones, computer and network hardware, satellite systems and so on." Information and communication technology (ICT) is a powerful tool, which can empower people through propagation of information & citizen engagement while bridging the gap between the citizens and the government to interact with each other. To manage the ever-increasing population in the cities, it is important that infrastructure in the cities is upgraded and managed by using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to make them sustainable in the long run.
Sensors
A smart city is infeasible without the deployment of sensors, which are hidden but ubiquitous components of the urban landscape. A process is improved based on its environment and for any intelligent control system to be aware of its environment, it is typically fitted with an array of sensors, from which it collects the required data. Sensing is at the heart of smart infrastructures to monitor public infrastructures, such as bridges, roads and buildings, provides awareness that enables a more efficient use of resources, based on the data collected by these sensors.
Big Data
Big data is often a by-product of our digital behavior, that we leave behind as we interact with systems or machines in our daily lives such as mobile phones, websites, satellites, or sensors. This data requires data science or artificial intelligence tools or methods in order to capture, curate, manage, and analyze it in an efficient way and obtain valuable insights from a large amount of data collected through these sources. The expansion of big data and the evolution of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies have played crucial roles in the feasibility of smart city initiatives by recognizing the pattern and need out of processed data from IoT devices and sensors, to improve how cities function and work for the benefit of citizens and other stakeholders.
Artificial Intelligence
Smart city is a digital revolution generating a huge amount of data, which can be processed, and generates information in return. Processing and making sense out of enormous data brings the role of Artificial intelligence (AI), in enabling smart urban solutions with multiple benefits, including more efficient energy, water and waste management, reduced pollution, noise and traffic congestions. Preventive and predictive maintenance is one of the main functions of this technology in predicting the energy consumption, pollution risks, and the effects on the environment. Also, more and more AI-powered security cameras are being used in cities that can go beyond video surveillance functions to make cities more secure and safe.
Cloud Storage & Computing
Without the integration of Cloud, it is next to impossible to visualize smart cities that can enhance public safety, promote efficient energy consumption, develop cohesive society and more. The smart city vision involves enriching quality of life by gaining data insight from interconnected sensors, devices and people; and so, have to create a network of interconnected technologies that communicate, transfer and analyses important data to maintain/improve urban operations. Cloud technology will provide the digital infrastructure for smart cities: in other words, a city’s cloud will function as a storage and analysis system for the data used in everything from autonomous vehicles to farms. The advancement in Cloud computing supports swift delivery and consumption of data, which helps in enabling ability to track everything from waste management to congestion.
Edge Computing
With the advancement in 5G and edge computing, we are moving closer to the ultimate dream of building highly efficient smart city. Edge computing allows more on-device computing and analytics, implies process data close to the source, subsequently enables devices to make decisions in real time themselves rather than sending to cloud/another machine for processing. Such an instantaneous response is a necessary requirement for high bandwidth technologies such as autonomous cars, where human-like reactions are integral to achieving high levels of safety. Edge computing not only tends to be more reliable, much faster, and places less demand on network connectivity and Internet bandwidth usage, but it also comes with fair financial savings. On-device decision making means surplus data does not need to be transferred and stored in a cloud network, cutting data storage costs. To really harvest the gains of a Smart IoT network, edge computing represents a necessary investment for any evolving smart city.
Blockchain
Blockchain can verify identities and authorize access, while storing transactions in immutable records and makes data exchanges seamless and cost-efficient. Blockchain can enable a neutral, accessible, and secure information base to prevent corruption and establish the necessary transparency in public administration. Smart Cities have a variety of stakeholders and the exchange of data among stakeholders is essential for highly convenient urban services and so Blockchain is expected to be used for this data exchange.
Geospatial Technology
Geospatial technology is a multidisciplinary field includes surveying, photogrammetry, remote sensing, mapping, geographic information systems (GIS) and global navigation satellite system. Geospatial technologies have a key role to play when it comes to enabling smart cities. Geospatial technology takes in data from sensors dotted around the city and spatially references it in a consistent manner; can increase speed, accuracy and cost-effectiveness related to a wide range of government priorities, including those related to crime prevention, emergency management, disaster recovery, social services, health care etc. Geospatial technologies not just provide accurate geospatial data but also help in analyzing and applying the enormous amounts of data in the best way. The potential for geospatial technologies in infrastructure is tremendous with advances in technologies like 3D modelling, LiDAR and other terrestrial scanning.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Vishal Bhardwaj
Quelle/Source: Linked in, 06.02.2022
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