Why smart cities?

The concept of smart city is more and more common today, no longer a science fiction term, already having concrete examples of cities that have implemented related strategies, cities such as New York, Berlin, Amsterdam, Barcelona, ​​etc.

Considering all the difficulties faced by the inhabitants of a city, the specific strategies of this concept represent a long-term solution.

In recent years, smart city development has progressed from a possibility to a clear requirement, even in urban development strategies. The use of low-power sensors, Wi-Fi networks, video surveillance, automatic data flow collection and public service management systems are just a few digitizing elements of smart cities.

Calculations and forecasts by experts in demography and urban sprawl claim that the world’s population will double in 2050, so we see increasing efforts to transform the structure and cities with smart options to cope with problematic conditions such as resource unavailability, aging network , environmental protection, urban expansion, security, the need for a complete management system.

The global trend of smart city development has created a network of global markets, partnerships, innovation teams that collaborate and adopt strategies, plans, initiatives, funds are distributed around the world.

Any action towards a smart city must start with a smart administration, so local administrators, i.e. mayors or City Managers, are responsible for developing smart public services and informing citizens.

The Europe 2020 strategy develops smart cities in the European community by allocating funds in ICT infrastructure, for the advancement of human capital and strategies that capitalize on new digitization technologies for: sustainability, the standard of living and work for citizens and companies, the efficiency of services, the reduction of poverty, the reduction redundancies, social exclusion, environmental impact and degradation.

The development of cities into smart cities will have an impact on technological innovation, smart transport, improved energy efficiency, citizens, workers and quality of life, institutions, through various developments related to remote work, increased transparency, etc.

According to research and analysis, the challenge facing cities today is to think, act and live smart.