Realising its future potential

In moving with precedents set in some of the world’s leading cities, eThekwini Municipality aspires to digitally transform itself in order to increase public

Asmart city is a municipality that uses information and communication technologies (ICT) to increase operational efficiency, share information with the public, and improve both the quality of government services and citizen welfare.

A smart city’s success depends on its ability to form a strong relationship between the government (bureaucracy and regulations), citizens and the private sector. This relationship is necessary because most of the work that is done to create and maintain a digital, datadriven environment occurs outside of the government. Surveillance equipment symbolises another element of a smart city for busy streets, and these could include sensors from one company, cameras from another, and a server from yet another (Rouse, 2019).

Defining a smart city

Smart cities use a combination of the internet of things (IoT) devices, software solutions, user interfaces (UI) and

What is a smart city?

A smart city is characterised by:

1. Digital infrastructure

2. Sustainable environment

3. Smart mobility

4. Data-driven governance

5. Citizen engagement communication networks. However, they rely first and foremost on IoT.

IoT is a network of connected devices –such as vehicles, sensors or home appliances – that can communicate and exchange data. Data collected and delivered by IoT sensors and devices is stored in the cloud or on servers. The connection of these devices and the use of data analytics facilitates the convergence of the physical and digital city elements, thus improving both public and private sector efficiency, enabling economic benefits and improving citizen's lives.

IoT devices sometimes have processing capabilities called edge computing. Edge computing ensures that only the most important and relevant information is communicated over the communication network.

A firewall security system is also necessary for the protection, monitoring, and control of network traffic within a computing system. Firewalls ensure that the data constantly being transmitted within a smart city network is secure by preventing any unauthorized access to the IoT network or city-data. Other smart city technologies include application programming interfaces (APIs), artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, dashboards, machine learning (ML), machine-to-machine (M2M), mesh network, and more (Rouse, 2019).

Smart traffic management is used to monitor and analyse traffic flows in order to optimise streetlights and prevent roads from becoming too congested based on time of day or rush-hour schedules. Smart public transit is another facet of smart cities, used to ensure public transportation meets user demand. Smart transit companies are able to coordinate services and fulfil riders’ needs in real time, improving efficiency and rider satisfaction. Ride- and bikesharing are also common services in a smart city (Rouse, 2019).

EThekwini’s road to smarts

According to City Manager Musa Mbhele, “The City is moving towards smart city status. Aside from the implementation of Wi-Fi in various areas throughout eThekwini, a Digital Government Strategy and roadmap structured around citizen/ business intimacy, innovation, and operational excellence was approved by the ICT Strategic Committee. They also approved the Technology Investment Decision Framework, which serves as a guide when considering investment in a technology-enabled solution, prioritising technology investments, and developing business cases for potential technology investment.

“The draft Open Data Policy has been developed to promote efficient and transparent public access to data by making it available online in user-friendly, open formats unless restricted by law, policy, regulations or contract.

“The draft Telecommunications Infrastructure Mast Policy has been formulated for the construction of telecommunications infrastructure networks in eThekwini Municipality in preparation for the Fourth Industrial Revolution and its advanced technology solutions that will shape the Municipality in the years to come. Council has also approved the Municipality’s participation in the Development Bank of South Africa/ World Bank Smart City Pilot Programme which will define the strategy and journey towards becoming a smart city.”

Defining Durban

EThekwini Municipality seeks to develop a smart city that:

• Has a smart government where technology and digital platforms are used to improve systems, processes and procedures to create more efficient and effective government operations

• Employs smart governance, where technology and digital platforms are used to improve the relationship between government and its citizens as well as improve the interaction of citizens with government

• Sees the municipality contribute to creating an enabling environment for businesses, communities and others to thrive in the digital environment, promoting innovation and entrepreneurship