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The Rise of Smart Cities BY MSBA STAFF
Recent advances in technology have changed many aspects of modern living. For example, refrigerators, thermostats, and other devices use the internet to turn information into data that improves user experiences. Systems of interrelated internet-connected objects, known as the internet of things, have not only changed the way we live as individuals, but have also altered how cities grow and operate. Specifically, city administrators have developed ways to collect and employ data to create “smart cities” that provide people that work and live in urban areas with a better quality of life.
CITIES MUST MEET certain requirements to become
smart. Specifically, they must have a widespread ability to collect physical information and convert it into a digital format. Therefore, they need systems that can operate together, exchange data, and use the information that is exchanged, which requires citywide wireless networks and fixed broadband that provides internet access to various apparatuses. They must also have numerous devices that are connected to the internet and can exchange data with other systems, like traffic lights, sensors, and vehicles. In addition to the ability to collect information, smart cities need platforms and applications that can develop and deploy support solutions, physical or virtual centers where data is managed and stored, and infrastructure that allows for the transmission of information over a variety of networks. Smart buildings are another critical component of smart cities. Typically, they use sensors, microchips, and actuators to control and regulate their water, electrical, security, and HVAC systems. They also employ data to learn tenant preferences
and monitor occupant activity. Smart buildings can connect a person’s physical and electronic identity and automate operational building technologies such as security, climate control, and lighting, allowing for more efficient use of resources and utilities. The goal of smart cities is to apply data to improve operations and develop solutions for situations that ordinarily present challenges in urban areas. For example, smart cities can reduce traffic by using traffic patterns collected from mobile maps to provide motorists with directions that offer the quickest route to a destination. They can also apply information obtained from traffic lights to change the lights’ timing to cut down on congestion during rush hour. Additionally, smart cities can apply technology to deal with waste problems, like using trash cans that notify waste management companies when garbage needs to be collected. Smart garbage containers can also be used to reduce waste and incentivize recycling by providing digital rebates to people who deposit recyclable materials. Technology can help urban planners and developers as well, MARYLAND BAR JOURNAL | VOLUME 2 ISSUE 3
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