How do smart cities change our perception of quality of life and sustainable development?

Economic development strategy

The best strategy for economic growth may involve attracting skilled personnel and creating a comfortable environment for their work and life. This principle is emphasized by the remarkable Edward Glaeser. But what exactly does the concept of a "smart city" mean and how does it function?

What is a smart city?

A smart city is a modern and environmentally friendly metropolis where various components of infrastructure and residents interact within a single information system. The main task of this system is the efficient use of natural, economic, and social resources. At the core of this concept are the most advanced information and communication technologies, including the Internet of Things, cloud solutions, high-speed internet, and big data analytics.

Advantages of the Internet of Things

Imagine the revolution that the Internet of Things will bring to urban life. Special devices will show drivers where available parking spaces and charging stations for electric vehicles are located in real-time. Traffic lights will adapt to the flow of traffic, reducing congestion on the roads.

• Smart barriers will be able to open for public transport and cyclists.
• In the event of a traffic accident, the emergency response system will activate, automatically transmitting emergency signals to alert drivers via GPS and smart road signs.

Waste management and lighting

Organizations involved in waste collection will be able to receive real-time signals from smart containers indicating when they are full. Streetlights equipped with motion sensors will only turn on in the presence of pedestrians.

Monitoring and management of the ecosystem

Weather monitoring systems can track climate conditions and automatically adjust plant irrigation. Artificial intelligence can analyze data on air pollution, noise levels, and the state of water bodies, taking measures to prevent flooding and other environmental disasters.

Simplifying city life

Thanks to advanced technologies, every citizen will be able to monitor their consumption of water resources and electricity in real time. Communication with government institutions, payment of utility bills, and access to various services will be simplified and available online at any time of the day. Everyone will have the opportunity to live in a "smart home" that provides comfortable living conditions. In such cities, free Wi-Fi or Li-Fi is available almost everywhere.

The prospects of smart cities

These thoughts open up exciting possibilities, don't they? Modern cities are striving to implement such ideas. Let's take a look at what successes they have already achieved on this path to an innovative future.

Analysis of smart cities from 2019

In a recent study conducted in 2019, the smart city index analyzed 174 megacities from 80 countries based on 83 criteria. Key aspects of the research included factors such as human capital development, social cohesion, health and overall happiness indicators, economic conditions, city management, ecology, as well as levels of technology and mobility.

Researchers found that 7 out of the 10 best cities are located in Europe, highlighting the high quality of life and integrated development of these locations. A total of 28 cities from European countries made it into the top 50 ranking.

North America shows high results due to a strong economy and quality human potential, ranking 13 positions in this list of smart cities. Asia is home to 5 megacities, while Oceania is represented by 4 cities, adhering to modern standards.

10. Vienna

One of the striking examples of smart cities is Vienna, known for its advanced transportation infrastructure, active international engagement, and modern technologies. The city has managed to secure a prestigious position in the rankings thanks to a multitude ofgreen plantingsand the high quality of drinking water sourced from alpine springs.

It is skillfully applied here.energy of mountain water supplyfor electricity generation. The compact structure of the city makes it convenient for cyclists and pedestrians. Additionally, the city's transportation system operates efficiently: trams, for example, convert braking energy into electricity.

9. Berlin

Berlin, the capital of Germany, receives high marks for human capital development, international activity, and governance. The city consistently ranks among the top 50 smart cities across all key indicators.

At the same time, there are areas where the city needs to improve, including environmental and economic aspects:

• No issues with car sharing.
• Easy search for parking spaces.
• Effective waste disposal.

However, unlike Amsterdam and Reykjavik, the residents of Berlin are not in a hurry to switch to bicycles, as this could negatively impact the automotive industry.

8. Copenhagen

Copenhagen ranks third in the world for environmental safety and is among the top ten for technology usage.

Modern technologies in large cities

In today's large cities, the spread of modern technologies is becoming commonplace. For example, many urban areas have already implemented high-speed internet, medical facilities with robots, fully autonomous taxis, as well as unique vertical gardens and agricultural zones.

The program known as "smart state" started in 2014 and aims to harmonize technology in the everyday lives of citizens. In one of the districts, called Yuhua, the newest buildings are equipped with sensors that monitor energy consumption, a vacuum waste collection system, and solar panels for generating clean energy.

Tokyo: cultural features and economic growth

If we look at Tokyo, we can see that thanks to its cultural traditions and mentality, the residents of this megacity demonstrate high labor productivity.Economic growth of Tokyoremains stable, which is related to unspoiled achievements in the field of human capital development and respectful treatment of nature.

Reykjavik: ecological cleanliness

Reykjavik, in turn, proudly claims that 99% of its electricity is generated using hydro and geothermal energy. This makes the capital of Iceland one of the most environmentally friendly cities in the world. Reykjavik has implemented an ambitious plan aimed at achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2040, highlighting its commitment to environmental care.

Paris: mobility and sustainability

Paris ranks fourth with significant achievements in human capital development and mobility. The city actively employs the principles of the Internet of Things to optimize transportation flows and the movement of citizens.

• ProjectGrand Paris Expressbecame one of the largest transport projects in Europe.
• It includes the addition of four new metro lines and 200 kilometers of new railway routes with 68 fully automated stations.
• Paris has also taken active steps to improve the environment by promoting sustainable modes of transport, such as bicycles and electric vehicles.

Amsterdam: the bicycle capital

Amsterdam ranks third, distinguished by its economic stability and environmental initiatives. In this city, about 90% of households own bicycles, and the extensive bike rental system fully addresses the needs of the remaining residents.

In 2025, there is a plan in Amsterdam to ban gasoline and diesel cars, making it the first European city with zero carbon emissions.

New York: Innovations and Social Challenges

New York, known as the Big Apple, ranks second due to its strong economy and high human capital development indicators. The city is home to around 7,000 high-tech startups, and the project...LinkNYCSince 2015, it has been providing free access to public Wi-Fi for all residents.

Nevertheless, New York faces challenges in social cohesion and ranks 137th in the world in this regard. Smart containers have also become an innovation.Bigbellythat optimize waste collection processes.

Conclusion

Thus, modern cities are becoming more advanced in terms of technology and environmental sustainability, thereby creating comfortable conditions for the life and work of their citizens. Each of the mentioned cities has its own distinctive achievements and plans aimed at shaping more efficient and safer urban spaces in the future.

Modern conditions of cities powered by solar energy

In the current realities of cities utilizing solar energy, there is active waste monitoring and the organization of regular garbage collection. London, the capital of the United Kingdom, holds a leading position in terms of human capital due to the presence of numerous prestigious universities and business schools, as well as its international status in the fields of information and education.

London demonstrates high results in other key areas as well: mobility, transport infrastructure, urban administration, and urban planning technology. However, similar to New York, an important issue remains social cohesion, which prevents the city from making it to the top 50 in this regard.

Current topics

The section also addresses important topics related to immigration, foreign investments, and the real estate market abroad, making the information appealing to a wide audience.

The state of technology in Russia and the CIS

While the implementation of smart city technologies is just beginning to develop in Russia and some CIS countries, major metropolises are already introducing elements of urban Wi-Fi networks, and local administrations have significantly transitioned to electronic documents and services available in online format.

Projects like "Electronic Moscow" and "Information City" are still in the implementation stage. However, there is currently no complete integration of these technologies into the daily lives of citizens in Russia. For this reason, Russian cities do not even make it into the top hundred smart cities.

• Moscow (70)
• Minsk, Belarus (108)
• Tbilisi, Georgia (112)
• Kyiv, Ukraine (113)
• Almaty, Kazakhstan (118)
• Saint Petersburg, Russia (123)
• Baku, Azerbaijan (127)
• Novosibirsk, Russia (142)

Critical aspects of development

In addition to making progress in this area, there are also serious critical points. For example, in Canada and China, citizens are wary of innovations in smart city technologies, expressing concerns about potential surveillance by government authorities and large corporations.

The research conducted by the IBM department in 2018 found17 vulnerabilitiesIn already functioning smart cities, which can be exploited by malicious actors to cause harm.

Investments and control in China

The Chinese government is actively investing in the development of smart city projects — it is expected that by 2020 this amount will reach74 billion dollars...as well as the increasing control over the population. For example, in Wuhan, a system of cameras capable of recognizing faces and analyzing people's gait was deployed.

Moreover, the requirement for mandatory apps to be downloaded allows authorities to collect data on citizens' locations and their internet activity.

Google's project in Toronto

In Canada, particularly in Toronto, in 2017, Google announced its plans to create a smart city using robots, driverless cars, and modern technologies. However, this project sparked a wave of criticism: the privacy commissioner in the city resigned, expressing concerns about the impact of technology on the privacy of Canadians.

His concerns were quite justified: the implementation of a smart city project using technologies from companies like Google, Microsoft, or Facebook could lead to the collection of vast amounts of data about citizens, which would ultimately end up in the hands of these corporations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it can be confidently stated that the creation of smart cities is not only an important task for modern society but also an integral part of sustainable economic development. Attractingintellectual personnelBy creating conditions for their work and life, we can significantly improve.quality of life for city residentsand also optimize the use of all available resources.

Elements that form the foundation of a smart city, such asInternet of Things,cloud technologiesandautomation systemsnot only improve infrastructure but also create conditions for interaction between residents and authorities. This, in turn, contributes to more effective management of urban systems and resources, as well as ensuringhigh level of securityand comfort.

The problems that megacities are currently facing requireinnovative solutionsWe are seeing examples of successful smart cities, such as Vienna, Berlin, and Singapore, which have demonstrated that technology can address a range of social and environmental issues while ensuring a high quality of life for their residents.

However, it is important to remember that each city is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The main priority should be to create a cohesive environment where all elements of urban space work in harmony with each other. This, in turn, requires collaborative efforts from both the authorities and the residents themselves.

It's important to remember

• The creation of smart cities is not just a trend, but a necessary step towards improving the quality of life.
• Improving the efficiency of urban infrastructure.
• Creating a comfortable and safe urban environment.

Thus, the creation of smart cities isnecessary stepto improve the quality of life, enhance the efficiency of urban infrastructure, and create a comfortable and safe urban environment. It is important for all cities to strive for this by adapting advanced solutions to their real needs and specifics.

Ultimately, the more we work on developing smart technologies and implementing innovative solutions, the greater our chances of creatingthe best futurefor our cities and their residents.