The future of cities: Digital, Smart and Inclusive

Introduction

World over, cities have built digital infrastructure and embedded technologies into urban services. A range of advancements in the digital space such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing and 5G connectivity, have offered municipal authorities a powerful set of tools to make cities smarter, safer, cleaner and more inclusive.

The Digital Cities Index (DCI) 2022 was developed by Economist Impact and supported by Japanese multinational information technology and electronics company 日本电气股份有限公司 . The study assesses the impact of digitization in 30 global cities across the four key themes of digital connectivity, services, culture and sustainability.

The top-performing cities as per the DCI 2022 are Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Beijing, London and Seoul, with the latter two cities tied in fourth position.

Digital vs smart city

A digital city is a modern urban area that uses different types of electronic methods and sensors to collect specific data. It is a city that is virtually connected in the digital space, whether it is the homes, streets or the public spaces, thereby offering infinite possibilities through real time data availability.

A smart city uses this digital connectivity to improve the urban environment and quality of life through better management of its systems. "Therefore, the two concepts are closely connected: To be smart, a city must be digital first. ”

Smart initiatives

Smart city initiatives range from ?such as traffic control, mobility, energy, waste, healthcare, security and more. Copenhagen, Denmark, which is the world's first carbon neutral capital, also topped the first position in the Digital Cities Index 2022.

• Smart lighting: Copenhagen has installed an IoT based LED street lighting system , enabling remote lighting management and control. The benefits for the city are energy savings and improved citizen safety. Smart lighting systems can also be automated to adjust brightness when needed, such as by sensing a bicyclist approaching an intersection.
• Smart traffic control:? By providing analysis of traffic conditions and congestion, smart traffic lights can adjust their timing to aid in traffic flow. They can also be used to give first responders a direct path of travel to an emergency.

Safer cities

With real time information availability and the possibility of remote surveillance, cities can become safer with smart technology.

• Risk management: Sensors and smart CCTV can detect potential threats or hazards as soon as they arise, before responding to them in real-time. Any abnormal activity can be spotted and alerts can be sent to the relevant authorities.
• Smarter emergency response: Smart systems can build great efficiency in emergency response coordination from the initial phone call to actual rescue operation. In calamities, fires or crimes, a quick response can significantly change the outcome.

The interconnected nature of a digital city allows for making informed decisions in an emergency.

Cleaner cities

A smart city is well equipped to tackle the enormous problem of waste management by enabling a circular economy model. One efficient method is to maintain a detailed and real time registry of the materials and products in the city. This data can be utilized to build a network for recycling and reuse, product sharing platforms and product life extension services.

Barcelona has installed a?pneumatic waste management system . The smart bins suck the waste dropped into underground networks using vacuum. This reduces noise pollution caused from collection vehicles and the stench of rubbish.? It also allows waste collection workers to plan their routes and timings using the data.

Inclusive cities

Smart city initiatives that shift from being technology-centric to citizen-centric put engagement and inclusion at the centre. Co creation and community engagement that rightly represent all the stakeholders in the process, is an essential part of inclusive city.

In Boston, Living laboratories are dedicated public spaces where cities can test smart solutions in a real-life context. The solutions can be tested on a smaller scale by the participating citizens and modified as necessary prior to rolling it out to the whole city.

Barcelona has collated a register of rental properties and vacant properties available digitally to make it easier to identify affordable Housing. Digital literacy programs, GPS and Bluetooth based navigation assistance for the visually impaired, and smart technology used to assist the elderly are some examples of smart inclusive systems.

Conclusion

The DCI 2022 places citizen engagement at the heart of the digitization process. There is a need to move away from purely technology driven top down systems to one that is human centric.

A smart digital city enhances the quality of life for its inhabitants when it takes the best interest of people and the planet at its core. It uses technology not only to achieve better air quality, cleaner mobility and energy savings in buildings, but also wellness, joy and convenience for its people. Overall, it reduces the carbon footprint for the city while improving the happiness quotient of its habitants.