Smart Cities & Digital Technology

Urbanization and economic decline in the early 2000s led to the idea of the SMART City: a city that uses modern technology to improve its infrastructure and raise the quality of life for all its residents. The EU got to work immediately, by incentivizing SMART redevelopment, but the US had some setbacks. Those setbacks turned out to be an opportunity to “take notes” as the EU wrestled this vague, idealistic concept of a SMART City into a more approachable framework: A smart city goes beyond the use of digital technologies for better resource use and less emissions. It means smarter urban transport networks, upgraded water supply and waste disposal facilities and more efficient ways to light and heat buildings. It also means a more interactive and responsive city administration, safer public spaces and meeting the needs of an ageing population. (“What Are Smart cities”, European Commission). ?

SMART cities foster a sustainable way of life by incorporating SMART technology into every piece of infrastructure. This technologically advanced infrastructure serves urban environments more efficiently than traditional infrastructure by providing real-time data analyses to entire communities. For example, transportation is a pressing issue in most cities today. Smart cities reduce traffic and air pollution by monitoring and analyzing traffic flow, then using that analysis to control traffic lights, establish rideshare programs, and set public transportation schedules and routes.

The key features of smart cities include efficient transportation systems, improved public safety, optimized energy usage, better waste management, and enhanced citizen participation. For instance, smart traffic management systems use real-time data to optimize traffic flow, reduce congestion, and improve safety. Similarly, smart energy systems use sensors and data analytics to optimize energy usage and reduce costs.

The benefits of smart cities are numerous, including improved quality of life, economic growth, environmental sustainability, and increased citizen engagement. Smart cities also attract investments, create jobs, and foster innovation. However, the development of smart cities also poses challenges such as data privacy concerns, cybersecurity risks, and the digital divide.

Several cities across the world have implemented smart city projects, including Singapore, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Dubai, and Tokyo. Singapore is one of the most advanced smart cities globally, with its Smart Nation initiative aimed at using technology to enhance the lives of citizens. Barcelona's smart city project focuses on improving public spaces, energy efficiency, and mobility. Amsterdam's smart city project aims to create a circular economy and reduce carbon emissions, while Dubai's smart city project focuses on enhancing tourism, transportation, and public safety. Tokyo's smart city project focuses on improving energy efficiency, disaster resilience, and transportation.

THE TOWN OF GILBERT SMART REDEVELOPMENT

Gilbert is the largest town in the United States, spanning 72.6 square miles. It lies just Southeast of Phoenix and is home to 278,912 residents. The population has sky-rocketed since 1980, when it was just 5,717, and it’s still growing (“About Us,” Gilbert.gov). ?Last year, Gilbert was faced with the challenge of deciding where to begin its SMART City efforts, so it reached out to SEG for help. SEG studied the town's existing infrastructure, and created a list of SMART development recommendations, catered to Gilbert's particular needs.

Our recommendations for Gilbert address every aspect of a SMART City: government, environment, economy, people, mobility, and quality of life. These are broken down into actionable tasks, that will become part of the town’s redevelopment plan. Here is a glimpse of what SEG has in store for the Town of Gilbert: A town-wide environmental dashboard will track historical and real-time water and energy-use data; a city-wide ordinance will raise the local standard for building efficiency; SMART Water and Sewer Management Systems will pinpoint leaks and monitor water quality; a renewable energy challenge will incentivize residents and businesses to cut back consumption; and a Zero-waste campaign will promote composting and recycling. And that’s just a sliver of the all-encompassing plan. The Town of Gilbert is embarking on a gargantuan redevelopment effort, but even a small project can greatly benefit from SMART advice.?

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