Smart Cities

What is an intelligent city, is it a city that adopts technology as its end? Or is it a city where large investments are made which may not meet the needs of its residents?

In the last days we heard many things related to smart cities, digital transformation etc, etc. and in fact many and many I am sure that the first thing that goes through their head is $, because I tell them that of course we can not have any type of innovation digital without technology, much less in this era of connectivity and constant technological innovation, in fact the most powerful tool is not a computer, it is not a quantum processor, much less the latest generation of the iPad, the most powerful technological tool is called smart phone and this connects thousands of companies, businesses, offices, hotels, etc, etc. with people which makes it the most powerful way to get and share information to people and that these generate data and data and more data which can be used for the benefit of decision making, use of resources, product design and endless possibilities and if this will help governments to make decisions, develop, execute and efficiently manage the use of resources and prioritize investment in the short, medium and long term.

But this cannot happen without citizen participation, without placing it at the center of development, without being transparent, without changing the organizational culture and without changing mentality in terms of expressing ourselves and getting involved, the smart city develops to people forgetting the traditional management by the intelligent, based on the needs, being inclusive and leaving no one behind, because if this sounds like utopia, something untiring but not impossible.

What if we all participate as citizens who investigate, who get involved that we seek to be heard? What if we risk being smarter (in the good sense of the word) in order to have smarter cities? I am sure that the result would be spectacular, to be able to prioritize services, to innovate in new ones, to create direct communication channels that promote transparency and equity, in addition to creating new, well-paid sources of employment because all of us, regardless of what we do, are part of that development, what if we put water quality sensors in our sources, what if we put oxygen sensor to keep our citizens healthy, what if we create an intelligent garbage collection system or if municipalities get fully involved in issues security interconnecting emergency stations, police, business and people ???

I repeat it would be something incredible, the result would be total benefit, greater feeling of belonging, greater feeling of community, because that ladies and gentlemen is an intelligent city, develops in stages, develops planned for people, is transparent and promotes wealth creating programs to support small businesses, entrepreneurship, training, etc, etc, etc.

Technology is an amazing tool, but we need use it wisely.

Change is difficult but we are innovators, creators and together we can achieve it!