We hear more and more about smart cities. Smart Cities are an undeniable part of the future, but also a growing reality today. Let’s learn a little more about what they are and how smart Cities work.
As a starting point, we can say that an intelligent city is one that will use innovation, technological potential and all kinds of resources for more effective use. With a global orientation to the sustainable development that results in the improvement of the quality of life of the inhabitants.
To some extent we could say that we are talking about the cities of the future. But this would be to attach little importance to the progress that is actually already being made in this regard.
Why does the Smart City concept appear?
Firstly, we must be clear that there is no single way of understanding the definition of smart cities. The concepts are handled differently, but virtually all agree on the use of innovation and technological potential as tools for transformation and improvement of the quality of life.
It has been a fact, since the end of the last century, that it is absolutely necessary to reinvent the models of habitability of cities. Cities are increasingly populated, which in turn is increasingly demanding higher levels of services and needs.
It is understandable, therefore, that the importance of this reinvention of habitability is a priority, and is in fact being carried out in leaps and bounds.
How are Smart Cities?
Theoretically, they must be cities that are able to take advantage of information and communication technologies to create the best possible levels of infrastructure. This looks at key aspects such as public transport. But in turn it extends to issues such as sustainability and efficiency.
To this end, technologies, people and creativity must be linked. All this is aimed at generating tools that not only improve the aspects we have already mentioned, but also increase the value of the city.
In this sense, and within the plans being studied, elements such as the inclusion of the inhabitants in the public life of the city are included. But also, keys such as improving the distribution of resources, and more transparent and accessible management models.
We can fall into temptation when we talk about smart cities to generate an exclusively technological, almost futuristic look at what we imagine. However, the relationship between people and the city model is simply capital in this respect. Technology is conceived here simply as a tool that generates that generalized improvement in the quality of life, and also, the added values and even the values to be highlighted of the city itself. All this is conceived as unlikely without the inclusion of citizens.
