In this increasingly connected global environment, the digital transformation of public services represents one of the most promising opportunities to improve the quality of life of citizens. A smart city, defined as one that uses information and management technologies to optimize the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations, not only brings citizens closer to government services, but also automates processes that generate tangible environmental benefits.
While public investment typically drives the initial development of smart cities, private sector collaboration and mixed investments play a crucial role in accelerating and sustaining the progress of this transformation.
A fundamental component in this digital transformation is the digitization of processes through the Internet of Things (IoT), which represents the technological backbone of modern smart cities. The implementation of connected sensors enables the collection of real-time data on critical aspects, such as air quality, energy consumption, vehicular traffic, and multiple environmental and urban variables. This continuous and automated monitoring capability not only provides valuable information for decision-making, but also significantly accelerates government response processes. This represents one of the most tangible benefits of digitization, allowing local governments to respond more agilely and effectively to their communities' needs.
However, local governments face challenges in this process. One of the main obstacles lies in access to scalable and reliable information, in addition to the accelerated pace of technological innovation that can disrupt established business models.
Given this reality, there are innovative solutions that can make a difference: "as-a-service" models and open source represent viable and strategic alternatives. The latter, in particular, benefits from global collaboration and offers broader applicability, making it a valuable tool for governments. Open source democratizes access to advanced technologies, making solutions universal and adaptable to different local contexts.
Resistance to change represents another significant barrier in public sector digital transformation processes; however, this can be overcome by applying strategies similar to those used in the private sector. The key lies in demonstrating that the proposed solutions have been tested and widely adopted in other contexts, which generates higher acceptance rates. This way, referencing successful implementations in globally recognized cities can be a powerful catalyst for fostering the adoption of new technologies.
Around the world, there are successful examples of smart cities that demonstrate the potential of these technologies when implemented comprehensively. Singapore has established itself as a global benchmark thanks to its advanced use of surveillance systems and sensors for traffic control and environmental monitoring, creating an urban infrastructure that self-regulates and continuously optimizes. Barcelona, for its part, has stood out for its innovations in efficient urban management, from smart irrigation and lighting systems in parks to Wi-Fi implementation throughout the city and mobile applications that allow citizens to report incidents directly to authorities. Another case is Amsterdam, a country that has another exemplary model with its focus on renewable energy and open data platforms that promote transparency and citizen participation. In all these cases, artificial intelligence plays a fundamental role by generating valuable insights from collected data and enabling predictive capabilities that transform reactive management into proactive management.
Looking toward the future, the next five years promise to be revolutionary for smart cities. With artificial intelligence, urban decision-making will position itself as a transformative trend that will allow governments to predict and prevent various problems before they impact citizens. At the same time, the importance of developing green and sustainable cities will continue to be a fundamental priority, aligning perfectly with global environmental sustainability objectives.
However, it will be the combination of 5G technology with the Internet of Things that will mark the true leap toward urban hyperconnectivity, creating digital ecosystems capable of supporting millions of connected devices. This hyperconnectivity will not only represent a technological advancement, but will significantly strengthen the relationship between citizens and local governments through modernization and mixed investments. The result will be a new era of automated responses and coordinated actions between different governmental levels and sectors, where collaboration will become the norm for addressing complex urban challenges comprehensively.
The call to government leaders is clear: prioritize innovation and allow mixed investments to bring best practices to the country. Building successful smart cities requires constantly exercising the "innovation muscle" and fostering solid trilateral collaboration between academia, the public sector, and the private sector. This strategic alliance not only enhances the individual capabilities of each sector, but also creates synergies that accelerate intelligent urban development in a sustainable and efficient manner.
It is crucial to understand that smart city initiatives do not represent an expense, but rather a strategic investment with the potential to generate significant and measurable benefits, from reducing carbon footprint to optimizing energy consumption. The future of our cities depends on the decision we make today: continue with traditional models or take the leap toward the digital transformation that citizens deserve and our planet needs.
---
Autor(en)/Author(s): Javier Cordero
Quelle/Source: Mexico Business, 22.07.2025
Bitte besuchen Sie/Please visit:
