A city becomes a smart city when digital technology is integrated with traditional networks and services. Smart cities aim to raise living standards, increase environmental sustainability, and assist local companies.
While the rest of the world lags, some cities have already begun to use Internet of Things (IoT) technology to bridge the gap between sustainability goals and urban development strategies. In this light, let us explore which cities are utilising cutting-edge technology to stay connected while also reducing their environmental footprint, particularly in light of the climate catastrophe and natural resource scarcity.
1. Zurich
Zurich established “Smart City Zurich” in 2018 to achieve the city’s long-term aims of stimulating innovation and transforming Zurich into a Smart City. Among the key areas of concentration are integrating public transportation, updating the city’s digital infrastructure, and “smart participation,” which encourages businesses and individuals to participate in the creation of Smart City Zurich.
The Swiss city has a world-class public transportation system as well as a smart building management system (heating, electricity, and cooling are all integrated and maximised). Tourists flock to the city because of its fast-paced traffic and well-developed digital infrastructure.
2. Amsterdam
The Amsterdam Smart City programme was started in 2009, marking the start of the city’s environmental efforts. To achieve its environmental goals, the programme employs cutting-edge technologies. According to the city’s strategy, CO2 emissions will be cut by 40% by 2025.
Amsterdam is installing sensor-based smart metres in its buildings to reduce its carbon footprint, allowing inhabitants to track their personal energy usage in real time. Installing “smart work centres” and “co-working spaces” throughout the city has also been shown to reduce daily commuting emissions. By operating heating, cooling, and lighting based on occupancy, sensors put in public venues can assist prevent energy waste.
3. Oslo
By 2025, all non-electric vehicles will be phased out of Oslo, with more than 70% of cars purchased in 2020 being electric. Oslo seeks to expedite the switch to “zero emissions” automobiles by allowing them to use bus lanes for free parking and lower fees.
According to city officials, any services that the city of Oslo can digitise will be digitised, including the development of multiple ICT and IOT in various city key sectors. Sustainable Smart City activities include electric bus trials, zero-emission construction sites, retrofitting existing buildings with sensors or Building Management Systems, and the creation of circular waste management and green energy systems, to name a few.
4. Copenhagen
Because of its innovative approach to using technology to make the city more ecologically friendly and improve the quality of life, Copenhagen is one of the top-ranked cities in the world. Real-time data on traffic, air pollution, and CO2 emissions is collected using mobile devices, GPS on buses, and sensors on sewers and garbage cans.
The Danish government has pledged to eradicate fossil fuels from the country by 2050, while Copenhagen aims to become the world’s first carbon-neutral metropolis by 2025. Sustainable transportation alone prevents more than 90,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year, a reduction of more than a third.
5. Singapore
Singapore’s status as the future city is based on a number of things. Since 2020, the city has been home to the city’s first industry-led smart city lab. The Smart Urban Co-Innovation Lab brings together more than 30 organisations, including Amazon Web Services, Cisco Systems, and Schneider Electric, to further develop smart city technology. Consider the digitalization of the hospital system, which, among other things, allows for TeleHealth video consultations and TeleRehab.
Singapore has undertaken a number of smart city initiatives, including the use of an autonomous fleet to assist the elderly and those with limited mobility. Elderly individuals can profit from the employment of robots and AI-powered chatbots since they can provide useful information while also reducing loneliness.
