We Need Intelligent (Not Smart) Cities.
Consumer sentiment about 'smart meters' has not been helped by the recent NAO report about their value. The National Audit Office (NAO) report reveals significant challenges in the UK's smart meter rollout - including insufficient coverage and data accessibility issues uncommissioned units, communication problems, and about 9% operate in a non-functional 'dumb mode' - and, consequently, the people aren't feeling good about their 'smart tech'.
Urbanization, with cities globally becoming the heartbeats of economic, social, and technological progression, is all around us. As we urbanize, it's critical that the cities we design are not just smart, but intelligent. The evidence above suggests we need a different approach.
The Difference Between Smart and Intelligent Cities
With all the technology around us we've come to conflate smart cities and intelligent cities. They share similarities, of course, but their differences are crucial and shift the conversation from the fever of technology to the wellness of citizens. And that's the critical difference; the wellness of citizens.
A smart city employs digital technology and data to enhance the quality of public services, often focusing on technological aspects like IoT, AI, and more. I know this because I've worked in the utility industry for close to 2 decades. 'Smart' aims to improve the efficiency of city operations and services, relying heavily on the technological layer of city infrastructure.
On the other hand, an intelligent city is an evolution of the smart city. The focus is not just technology, but also on the city's ability to learn from its citizens, adapt to changes, and become resilient. Essentially, intelligent cities go a step further by integrating the technological advancements of smart cities with an understanding of social factors.
Key Features That Differentiate Intelligence from Smart
While smart cities use technology to solve urban issues, intelligent cities emphasize learning, innovation, and adaptation in addition to technological deployment. Key features often include fostering innovation and creativity, understanding social needs, implementing sustainable solutions, and adapting to changes. The adaptation element is critical. Intelligent cities don't just use technology passively; they harness its power to create adaptive, innovative, and resilient urban environments focused on the needs and wellbeing of citizens.
We Need Intelligent Cities
More people are moving to cities. According to the World Bank, by 2050 nearly 7 of 10 people will live in cities. Building intelligent cities represents a strategic response to addressing the emerging challenges of this growth in the urban population.
From traffic congestion and air pollution to economic disparities and social exclusion, urbanization brings a myriad of challenges. Intelligent cities tackle these by fostering an environment of continuous learning and proactive problem-solving. They leverage big data and AI to forecast and preemptively address these problems. Moreover, intelligent cities create opportunities through improved governance, resource allocation, and service delivery, making cities more liveable and sustainable.
Intelligent cities will play a pivotal role in our achievement of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by leveraging technology and social intelligence. It will come from combining innovation, sustainable solutions, and social inclusivity.
What Is The Role of Tech In Intelligent City Design and Function?
Designing an intelligent city requires a marriage between advanced technology, innovation, and social inclusivity. It's not just about embedding technology into city infrastructure, but about creating a city designed towards learning, adaptation, and resilience.
AI and big data are critical elements in designing an intelligent city. They provide valuable insights into patterns of human behavior, traffic congestion, resource usage, and more. By analyzing these patterns, intelligent cities can predict and plan for urban needs, creating an adaptive and responsive urban environment that changes and evolves alongside its residents.
Integrating Social Factors into the City Design
Intelligent cities prioritize the integration of social factors into their design. This means they focus not only on improving technological infrastructure but also on enhancing the quality of life for their residents. By understanding the social dynamics of the community, intelligent cities create an inclusive environment that caters to the needs and preferences of all residents.
Land Use and Transportation Planning in Intelligent Cities
In intelligent cities, land use and transportation planning are data-driven and future-oriented. They leverage technology to optimize the use of space, manage traffic congestion, reduce environmental impact, and promote mobility. The goal is to create a city where residents can travel efficiently, live sustainably, and enjoy high quality of life.
Several cities worldwide have begun the journey towards becoming intelligent cities, giving us a sense for the opportunitite and challenges we should expect in the future.
Cities like Barcelona, Tokyo, and Amsterdam stand as living testaments to the successful implementation of intelligent city features. Barcelona has pioneered participatory governance, Tokyo is known for its efficient land use and transportation, and Amsterdam leads the way in environmental sustainability catered to the local needs. Each city's unique approach highlights the innovative solutions that can arise when technology and social intelligence are combined.
Moreover, lessons from these cities suggest that our cities becoming 'intelligent' is not a one-size-fits-all process. Each city has unique challenges and strengths. The path to becoming an intelligent city requires a deep understanding of specific local realities, citizen engagement, consistent learning, and adaptation.
'Intelligent City' Futures
The future of cities is intelligent, not just smart. Especially if we want our residents to thrive. Intelligent cities have the potential to dramatically improve our quality of life. They strive to create an urban environment where technology serves the people, not the other way around. As intelligent cities learn from their citizens and adapt to their needs, they foster a culture of innovation and inclusivity, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for all residents.
What will this look like? More personalized and efficient public services, increased citizen participation, greater focus on sustainability, and improved accessibility. All towards more resilient, inclusive, and adaptable urban environments.
As we invest in rebuilding our infrastructure, it is incumbent that cities encompass more than just smart infrastructure and technology. They must be intelligent, adaptive, and resilient. We must use technology as a tool, not an endpoint, to foster innovation and inclusivity, enhance public services, and ultimately improve the quality of life for all residents. The future is intelligent, and it starts with our cities.