By Salah M. Alajeel
The concept of smart cities is being implemented in many cities around the world. Smart city infrastructure is being integrated into some major cities the world over. Since smart cities’ concept is still new, their design has to be carefully considered for it to be successful. A lot has to go into a smart city’s planning, design, and implementation.
To create a good plan for future proof smart cities, we need to know the current cities’ challenges and address them. We also need to anticipate problems associated with the introduction of new technology on such a massive scale.
Challenges Faced By Modern Cities
- Power
- Rapid Growth
- Pollution
- Safety
- Health
A smart city has to address all this, make the idea of living in one, investing in one attractive.
The ingredients for a great start for the design of smart cities include:
- A Good Technological Framework
- Good Institutional Framework
- A Team Of Experts
Design Of Smart Cities
For successful implementation, a smart city would first need a plan. This plan would outline the layout of;
- Buildings
The buildings in smart cities have to be fitted with smart tech. During the design process, buildings have to be equipped with devices that make using them more efficient. These include
- Sensors. Sensors offer more information that can be used to avert and manage disasters, and during normal use, they make sure the building is in optimum condition.
- Automation. Automation of building essentials like lights, ventilation, generators, heating, and security systems ensures that fewer resources are used in managing the normal functions of a building.
- Energy. Buildings in smart cities have to use smart energy. The ideal situation would be one where a building uses the amount of energy it produces, not more. Such buildings are known as zero-energy buildings.
- Transport
Transport in smart cities has to be as streamlined as possible. It has to be designed while considering the masses who will use the city’s transport systems. It has to offer enough space for the commuters and enough parking for the drivers. It has to offer a safer, more environmentally friendly means of transport.
- Energy
Cities use a lot of energy. Most of the energy produced is used in cities. Smart cities are designed with this in mind. For the cities to start their transition into smart cities, they have to optimize their energy use.
- Waste Management
Smart waste management has to be a consideration in the design of smart cities. Waste management has to be environmentally friendly and effective.
- Lighting
The lighting in a smart city has to be designed to make it efficient, reliable, and energy-saving.
- Security
Cities can be a hotspot for insecurity. For a smart city design to be successful, potential investors and inhabitants have to feel safe. This makes smart security systems a major consideration. They have to be fast, intelligent, and reliable.
- Hospitals & Schools
Hospitals and school infrastructure have to be state of the art.
Be First to Comment