Smart communities are only possible through the application of technology. They offer a practical long-range approach to pursuing environmental sustainability and quality of life for residents. -By Karen White
Smart cities and smart communities have one thing in common: they are only possible with the right technologies. Smart communities are in development and are not just a theoretical concept, as advancing technologies are adding new possibilities that make the previously-imagined a reality. The spine of the smart city or community is Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) that connect people, devices, vehicles, homes and businesses, and government services. The possibilities are endless, but the ultimate benefit of a fully developed smart community is that lives are improved through cleaner air, more efficient services, better healthcare, and a general quality of life improvement. It is not only about the environment and protecting natural resources and air quality, because a well-planned smart community also contributes to safer roads, enhanced sanitation, parks supporting a healthier lifestyle, and much more. There are unlimited opportunities for diverse suppliers to join this burgeoning effort and contribute innovative ideas and technologies that smart communities need for success.
More Than Technology
Technology is fueling the development of smart communities. With the integration of smart home devices, renewable energy sources, communication networks, and advanced transportation systems, residents can live a more sustainable and efficient lifestyle. But it is about more than just the technology itself - diverse suppliers can play a crucial role in bringing innovative solutions, including new perspectives of community residents historically excluded due to a lack of technology access or bias. By working with various suppliers, the eco-village can tap into a wider pool of ideas and expertise, leading to a more inclusive and thriving community. From solar panel manufacturers to electric vehicle providers, diverse suppliers are helping to shape the future of smart communities and pave the way for a more sustainable world.
There are many elements in a community to make it smart. A fully developed smart community is an interconnected ecosystem supported by technologies that include broadband, wireless, smart sensors and devices (IoT), artificial intelligence, networks, and data collection and analytics systems. The Thales Group, a French international company heavily involved in technological innovations supporting smart cities, developed an infographic demonstrating the many elements of a fully developed smart community or city. Environmental sustainability is found in smart buildings that can reduce or increase electricity upon request, street lighting that automatically adapts to weather conditions based on light data, monitoring of air quality through 5G and edge computing data collection to predict hazards and air pollution, and resource management through smart meters collecting energy and water consumption data.
People benefit from more than environmental sustainability. A fully developed smart community has a traffic management system that provides real-time traffic updates to reduce congestion, and pavement fitted with sensors that alert an anticipated maintenance need and real-time availability updates for parking and automated parking payments. In addition, it has smart vehicles fitted with eSIMS, and Wi-Fi hotspots connected to 5G networks that broadcast vehicle position and speed to other vehicles to minimize accidents. Also, it will have embedded road sensors that collect traffic data and warn drivers of dangerous conditions like ice, and also adaptive lanes for smart biking services, and waste management bins digitally monitored and able to alert the company when full, to support sanitation standards. Healthcare is improved too. Remote monitoring of patients via sensors and 5G connectivity is possible. During an emergency, the 5G connected ambulance can send vital health data to the hospital while on its way to the hospital.
Let the Smart Evolution Begin!
IMD maintains city profiles that show how they are evolving into smart cities. It shows great detail in scoring and considers all the items just mentioned, plus it adds more. There are rankings for activities such as availability of cultural activities, access to new schools and employment opportunities, whether minorities feel welcome, governance factors like residents having a voice in government, and recycling and reuse programs, to name a few. Boston, for example, is ranked number 34 out of 141 and is given an A, with the highest being AAA, indicating there is room for continued improvement.
A city launching localized policies can initiate the process of becoming a smart community, but it is an evolutionary process. Edmonton, Canada, has been transforming since 2010, when the Open City Initiative was launched. The first step was introducing big data, and promoting local businesses through data analysis that suggests solutions. Designing and implementing effective data collection and analysis systems is an enormous project, required to successfully become a smart community. Edmonton now has a dashboard that residents access to track progress in developing a healthy city, integrated and attractive urban places for people and businesses, climate resilience (currently through measurement of greenhouse gas emissions), and regional prosperity (measured through data on things such as the labor force participation rate and housing starts). The dashboard supports transparency and engages the public. As the city continues to increase its access to data through new technologies, it comes closer each year to becoming a fully smart community.
As Time Goes By
A transformation to a smart community (or even a smaller eco-village) is a process that takes time. Given its complexity, what is a fundamental approach? Tomorrow.City names four foundational principles. They are data monitoring and processing, boosting geographical information systems, enhancing visibility and impact on the community, and developing engagement formulas to involve community members. Like Edmonton, the ability to collect and analyze data is essential to becoming a smart community and requires critical technologies. The backbone of any smart city is the digital infrastructure.
The Strategic Networks Group recommends viewing a smart city as a holistic ecosystem supported by technologies. Interconnectivity is a smart community characteristic. The digital infrastructure is comprised of broadband, wireless, smart devices, sensors, and a data collection system with the ability to analyze the data intelligently. The services element is the layering of applications connecting people and businesses and communicating the desired data. Once the digital infrastructure can support data flows, identifying the initial public services that best improve the quality of life and support environmental sustainability is a good starting point. Some cities may choose to start with smart traffic management, or install electric vehicle charging stations through agreements with energy providers. Each effort increases connectivity to the broadband, and thus integrated data flows and informative and predictive analytics.
Becoming Smarter in Every Way
Innovative, diverse technology providers can play a significant role in advancing the formation of smart communities, but it is not limited to just technology. Every element of city services and resident lifestyles are embraced in goals and priorities. The opportunities cross industries, for example, smart buildings need communication technologies, smart architectural and engineering designs, smart glass windows, and energy-efficient HVAC systems. Communities need green spaces with data-driven watering systems for water conservation, and residents need smart energy meters. Think big about innovative community development, because every city feature can be smarter.