by Jacek Korneluk

You may have heard about smart cities idea but wonder what it would be like in real life to live in such a city. Would it be a good and valuable experience or just a sort of tech-based fortress and nightmare like in some science fiction movies?

Also, notice that the Smart City concept is not only about smart technologies incorporation but about Smart Citizens as well, who are fully aware and well educated.

I will attempt to explore the exciting world where smart technologies and urban life blend to create something truly new and even a bit futuristic. Why not?

Whether you are a tech enthusiast or just curious about what it is all about, this article is for you. We all need to start on one day and somewhere.

I propose to start with the basics. A smart city uses the latest technology to improve the quality of life for its residents in general.

It is like a regular city but supercharged and fully loaded with cutting-edge gadgets, sensors, and powerful data analytics, usually driven by AI.

From managing traffic to optimising energy usage, everything is designed to make life smoother and more efficient.

In theory first, then often in practice.

You live in a city where the streetlights adjust based on the time of day and weather, waste management is fully automated, and public services are just a tap away on your tablet or smartphone. It sounds very familiar, but is it realistic?

The truth is that in some particular world location cities like this already exist. They are still evolving and adding to the City’s complexity, and they represent a different rate of technical advancement.

I assume that each Smart City will become a bit different. Individually tailored to the appetite of designers and citizen’s needs.

I live in the City of Perth (Western Australia) which implemented multiple elements of Smart City solutions. Not all of it is visible at first glance, especially to the naked eye, but you can definitely notice a few things.

I remember discovering smart rubbish bin containers loaded with IoT sensors and connected to the cloud, I guess. I was surprised and impressed when I first time discovered them.

But this is much more than only about smart rubbish bins.

(So, what is exactly good about living in a smart city?)

In General Terms – Better Quality of Life.

With smart technology, cities can provide better services. You can expect fewer traffic jams, cleaner streets, and faster emergency responses. Also, air quality may be constantly monitored, leading to a healthier environment for You and Me. Win-win for everyone.

Energy Efficiency.

Smart grids and renewable energy sources mean less wasted energy. Your home can automatically adjust its energy use based on your habits, saving you money and helping our planet. Not bad as well.

Ultimate Convenience.

Everything is connected. Control your home’s temperature, lighting, and security from your phone. Need to start your car, locate it, or a parking spot? Just, use an app for that. Want to know when the next bus arrives? Just check your device. Looks like we already know something about it.

If that is not enough for you, buy an AI-ring and put it on your finger!

Enhanced Safety and Security.

Advanced surveillance systems and AI-driven analytics help keep crime rates down. Also, smart emergency services can pinpoint your location instantly if you need help.

As long as we are not talking about social scoring it sounds like a win-win again.  The big brother was watching for years anyway.

(Of course, no technology is perfect and without its challenges.)

Privacy Concerns.

With all the data being collected, there is always a risk of your personal information being leaked or misused. Especially if the database is centralised. Strong data protection laws are crucial to address this issue.

Here is where we can say hello to blockchain.

High Costs.

Building and maintaining a smart city is not cheap. Initial costs can be high, and not every city can afford the investment. This might lead to higher living expenses.

At least at the beginning.

Technological Dependence.

Relying heavily on technology means that any glitch or cyberattack could disrupt daily life. Think about what happens when the internet goes down – but on a much larger scale.

I am an old-school tech enthusiast, so I always consider multiple backups. Hopefully, Start Cites’ designers consider it too.

Finally, we should “start thinking” about developing post-quantum cybersecurity. Better be well prepared in advance, rather than post-factum sorry.

Digital Divide.

Not everyone has the same access to technology. Also, not everyone is on the same level of technological education, as I have mentioned in one of my articles.

Ensuring that all residents benefit from smart city features can be a challenge, especially for older adults or low-income families. Closing the tech divide and gap is relevant in my opinion (IMO).

Living in a smart city may offer a first touch into the near future, where everyday life is an integral part of advanced technology. What is called emerging technologies today, very soon becoming a part of our real life tomorrow.

At the end of the day, smart cities represent an exciting evolution in urban living.

So, what do you think? Are you ready to pack your stuff and move to the nearest smart city?

I am, how about You?

(What makes a city smart?)

Smart Transportation.

Try to dream up a world where traffic jams no longer exist. They have become a thing of the past. Smart traffic lights adjust based on real-time traffic data, public transport is optimised, and autonomous electric or hydrogen vehicles are the norm. This is not just about everyone’s convenience, it is also about cutting down pollution.

I am not hallucinating I used driverless trains many years ago at Frankfurt Airport. Also, every day, I see adaptive traffic lights. I assume that fully autonomous vehicles may be used during rush hour in congested areas. All smart traffic management systems work together to keep us moving smoothly, including aircraft and airports.

Energy-Efficient Buildings.

Smart cities, by definition, should be “green cities.” By that, I don’t just mean an abundance of plants, grass, and trees. Buildings are equipped with sensors that monitor energy use, automatically adjusting heating, cooling, and lighting to save energy.

Renewable energy sources like solar and wind power are integrated into the city’s grid, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

By the way, using old-fashioned door and window sealers, not to mention proper building insulation and double-glazed windows, is a good habit I learned in Eastern Europe.

It should be a standard that adds value to the meaning of Smart!

Intelligent Waste Management.

No more overflowing bins. Smart waste management systems use sensors to monitor waste levels and optimise collection routes. This reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and keeps the city cleaner.

These few components mentioned as examples are designed to work together in order to create a more liveable, sustainable urban environment.

Amen to that!

Digital Governance.

Say goodbye to long queues at government offices. In a smart city, most public services are digitised.

Do you need to renew your ID? or apply for a permit? It is all online, making interactions with the government much faster, and more efficient, if the communication platform is properly designed.

By design, it should make our lives much easier.

Singapore – Is often named the smartest city in the world, and there must be a reason for that! Singapore’s smart city initiatives are impressive. From smart traffic management systems to efficient energy use in buildings, the city is a model of urban innovation. It’s Smart Nation initiative focuses on using data and technology to improve living standards, create more opportunities, and build a more inclusive society.

Dubai – Dubai’s vision to become the world’s smartest city by 2021 has led to numerous projects. The city incorporated blockchain for secure and transparent government transactions and has implemented AI to improve public services. Dubai’s autonomous transport strategy aims to make 25% of all journeys driverless by 2030, reducing congestion and emissions.

Amsterdam – Is a top-tier smart city, celebrated for its innovative use of technology and data to enhance urban living. With a robust collaborative platform and numerous living labs, Amsterdam focuses on sustainability and citizen-centric solutions, making it a leading example of smart city development. Amsterdam’s smart city initiatives cover key areas such as infrastructure & technology, energy, water & waste, mobility, circular economy, governance & education, and citizen living.

Tallinn, Estonia – Known for its advanced digital infrastructure, Tallinn is a pioneer in e-governance. Citizens can vote, pay taxes, and access health records online. This level of digital integration makes public services more efficient and accessible, setting a high standard for other cities.

Adelaide, South Australia – Stands out as a leading smart city, known for its advanced connectivity and innovative projects. Adelaide began its smart city journey in 2005 by becoming the first city in Australia to offer free public Wi-Fi and the nation’s fastest data network. Recognised globally, the city’s smart initiatives, such as smart parking and environmental monitoring, along with collaborative innovation hubs emphasise its forward-thinking approach.

The Sunshine Coast in Australia – The Sunshine Coast’s smart city approach aims to optimise asset use and maintenance, enhance data collection for informed decision-making, improve service delivery, design better public spaces, and create cleaner, more liveable urban areas. These initiatives offer numerous benefits, including improved service delivery, better town planning, reduced carbon emissions, increased safety, attraction of investment, and heightened local business competitiveness.

Melbourne, Vic – Melbourne is at the forefront of smart city development in Australia, earning the highest national ranking in global smart city indices. With a clear vision for future-proofing the city’s unique aspects, Melbourne focuses on technology integration, sustainability, urban planning, and citizen engagement.

The city has a robust innovation ecosystem, highlighted by initiatives like the RMIT Digital CBD research team’s proposals for decentralised autonomous organisation (DAO) pilots. Collaboration with universities, such as RMIT, further bolsters Melbourne’s smart city initiatives.

Having lived in Melbourne for 11 years and graduated from RMIT, I can personally vouch for the dynamic environment and collaborative spirit driving these smart city initiatives. Melbourne is a prime example of how a city can blend cutting-edge technology with a strong sense of community to create a sustainable and efficient urban space.

Currently, I am living in Perth, WA, and I also see significant contributions to smart city development here. There is a real movement around the tech scene, and for sure, more exciting advancements are on the way.

Nevertheless, these cities showcase how smart technology can transform urban living, making it more efficient, sustainable, and enjoyable. Hopefully, the happiness rate will follow!

But it is not just about these few big names – Smart City initiatives are sprouting up across the globe as more people are noticing the benefits of smart living.

At the end of the day, whether we like it or not – smart cities represent an exciting evolution in urban living.

Looking ahead, emerging trends and technologies like 5G, AI, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are set to further improve smart cities. As an example, ultra-fast internet connections enable real-time data sharing, AI-powered systems (preventing maintenance) predict and address issues before they arise, and IoT devices create a seamlessly connected urban environment.

By combining cutting-edge innovations with good old common sense, Smart Cities aim to make urban life easier, more sustainable, healthier, and happier.

Getting everyone on board with the latest tech can be tricky, but the results are well worth the effort. Smart cities are not only about smart technologies themselves, but they are also designed by people and for people.

People should always come first.

The more aware and well-educated citizens are, the friendlier and safer the technical side of cities will be. Participation in technological advancement should be equally distributed among the vast majority of the city’s residents. Otherwise, a deep gap and divide will be created.

Incorporating elements of Decentralised Autonomous Organisation (DAO) into smart governance could indeed be a fascinating addition to the Smart City concept.

However, it might be a bit challenging at first for city decision-makers to welcome such innovative change.

As a real-world example (a year ago), I delivered a proposal for creating a local DAO to my City Council. I also informed a couple of open-minded politicians, introducing them to the idea of hybrid DAO management. I named it RocoDAO.

I plan to position my city as one of the world leaders and pioneers in digital city management. I am still waiting for a response to my proposal. It looks like I was a bit too early, or perhaps the city is not yet ready to handle such a challenge and solution.

RocoDAO could be an excellent case study to illustrate the potential benefits of integrating DAO elements into modern city governance. It aims to involve and include all residents keen to participate in digital form in everyday city living and activities, such as voting on hard rubbish collections, rates, or new projects and activities proposals.

It aims to add an additional level of democracy to the existing structure and can be run as a hybrid, parallel to the existing brick-and-mortar model.

Keep advocating for these forward-thinking concepts, as they could play a vital role in shaping the future of urban life.

As I said, being a pioneer in this area is essential to driving change and promoting advancement.

By displaying the importance of DAOs and flexible hybrid models in the context of digital transformation and Smart Cities management, my article may inspire readers to explore new possibilities and imagine how cities can be governed in a more effective, less centralised, and innovative way.

Keep learning and exploring then. Who knows, maybe you are already a part of it like me, or if not, you might be living in one soon.

Oryginally published on July 19, 2024 at:

https://spektrumlab.io/living-in-a-smart-city-benefits-and-implications-for-urban-residents-spektrumlab/