The concept of smart cities is not new. The idea originated by the name “smart growth movement,” which started in the late 1990s, advocating new urban expansion policies. To see smart growth in action, Portland, Oregon, USA, is a great example. It has evolved into a pioneer of tech-based innovation in planning development and operation of smart cities.
I heard the term smart city in a documentary on climate change on Discovery featured by my Spectrum TV plan and this sparked my interest. Are you new to this term? Learn more about smart cities here.
Introducing Smart City
A smart city is defined as a framework for harnessing modern tech capabilities for connecting, protecting, and enhancing citizens’ lives. It harnesses Information & communication tech, IoT to analyze data from various channels and improve the city’s environment as well the quality of life of its citizens.
Each smart city project consists of 11 core focuses, which include architecture, lighting, communication, air quality, safety & security, urban mobility, environment, transportation, water management, public Wi-Fi, waste management, and urban mobility.
Every smart city has a simple goal: to improve the living and working environment for the population. It is said that the quality of the cities decides the future of our world. Did you know that the top 25 cities of the world account for half of the world’s wealth? It’s projected that by 2020, 20 global cities will become smart cities. That’s because the vision of smart cities is becoming a reality. Here are some ways smart cities are likely to forget a technological path into our future:
Sustainable Means of Transport
Paris COP21 is one such carbon-reducing agreement that has set cities on the path of sound environmental objectives. Technologies such as electric cars, ride-sharing services, and efficient public transport have reduced the number of vehicles out on the road for commute on a regular basis.
Smart cities are likely to take advantage of this trend. Soon, vehicle ownership will reduce, and so will the emissions.
Conscious Capitalism
Smart cities are cashing on the concept of conscious capitalism. It is the concept of looking beyond the bottom line of your business. This doesn’t mean businesses won’t value profitability. Along with worrying about the business’s profitability, they will adopt values and ethics that reflect humanity’s needs. More focus would be on charitable work and the overall well-being of the residents of the city.
Energy Efficient Culture
Smart cities promote a green environment; therefore, they are likely to set new grounds for energy efficiency. Many best practices are already in use, such as utilizing energy-efficient appliances, using cold water to wash clothes and hang drying them, taking shorter showers, reducing water heaters’ temperatures, and installing smart thermostats.
As thermal energy becomes more accessible to homeowners in the cities, they will be home to sustainability and an eco-friendly environment.
Smart Food Production
Smart cities won’t be complete without smart food. Food is grown the old fashioned way to ensure its organic. Cities are encouraged to produce their own food through urban agriculture. It’s already in practice, and there are different approaches to it. These include container, window, rooftop, balcony gardening, raising chickens, and beekeeping.
To make this work, smart cities must harness the power of urban farming for increasing the production and sustainability of urban centers. Smart food also means protecting the greenery and suffering urban agriculture on a wides scale for equating health and sustainability.
Summing Up
How the future of smart cities unfolds, it’s impossible to predict. This is true, however, that smart cities are the future of the world. Who knows we would be able to get free Spectrum Internet so that everyone within the community is connected and enjoys a great quality of life?
