Using Technology to Optimize Urban Systems
Definition
Smart City
A smart city is a city that uses information and communication technology (ICT) and real-time feedback based on data to improve the quality of life for its residents, enhance urban services, and promote sustainability.
Purpose-Built Settlements: Songdo, South Korea
NoteSongdo is often called a "ubiquitous city" because its technology is seamlessly integrated into daily life, from video conferencing in homes to smart streetlights that adjust brightness based on activity.
Retrofitting Older Cities
- While purpose-built cities like Songdo showcase the future, most urban areas are older and require retrofitting to become smarter.
- This involves integrating modern technology into existing infrastructure.
Examples of Retrofitting
Smart Traffic Lights
- Cities like Barcelona use adaptive traffic lights that respond to real-time conditions, reducing congestion and emissions.
Water Sensors
- New York City employs sensors to detect leaks in its water system, saving millions of gallons annually.
Air Quality Monitors
- London uses a network of sensors to track pollution levels, informing policies to improve air quality.
Students often assume that retrofitting is less effective than building new smart cities. However, retrofitting can be more sustainable by preserving existing infrastructure and reducing waste.
