What is a smart city? Usually when I raise this question, most people start talking about sensors, smart grids, cellphone apps, big data, and the internet of things (IoT). Obviously, smart cities have something to do with information and communication technologies (ICTs). The Smart Cities Council says: “A smart city uses information and communications technology to enhance its livability, workability and sustainability."(Smart Cities Council (7/17/2016)
Smart cities are the new paradigm when it comes to urban sustainability. They make sustainable urban solutions such as public transit, renewable energy systems, and resource-efficient buildings more attractive and efficient by adding ICTs. They enable us to track arrival times of trains, to regulate the temperature at home with our smart phones, and to balance supply and demand of renewable energy in smart grids.
However, smart cities and the use of ICTs in the field of urban planning and design have much more potential for creating even more sustainable solutions than what is currently expected. In this article, I will explain the factors that make cities sustainable and how ICTs can be used as a planning tool to make it happen.
Read the full blog post here.