A Smart City is a city which makes use of the latest technological advances regarding information and communication within its different economic sectors to optimize the use of existing infrastructures: transport system, construction, governance, environment.
The city is bound to be ‘smart’ in the management of its architectural infrastructure, in its innovation by way of its digital services, in its approach to be respectful of the people and the environment. Theoretically, the Smart City boasts many assets and paves way for a less chaotic future in terms of pollution and uncontrolled urbanization. Smart Cities move towards the democratization of advanced technology and the enhancement of citizenship competencies.
The concept is very popular but should however be legally defined. According to “L’Agence Wallonne des Télécommunications”, the Smart City label is based on a common approach: a common willingness to optimize natural resources and to focus on citizenship participation thanks to technical advances. In countries like India, more than 25% of the population lives in town which implies the need for better planning to cater for future population growth. The Indian government has launched the Smart City Mission to manage urbanization of 100 towns in a thoughtful manner. A Smart City can in fact, be integrated in the enhancement process of an existing town or relates to the creation of an intelligently designed new town.
Smart City Scheme Outlook
Short-term advantages
- Real estate investment for both the local population and foreigners
- Benefit from the infrastructural assets of Smart Cities (water, electricity and sewage networks)
- Access to an urban transport network and reduction of traffic jam
- Leisure, cultural and educational infrastructure
- Benefit from technological and digital technology
- Secure environment
- Nearby commercial malls
Medium-term advantages
- Management, share and publication of data
- Sharing of modern infrastructure and technological advances
- Access to health services
- University campuses and schools integrated to Smart Cities
- Industrial parks
- Conference and intellectual sharing centers
- Research and Innovation centers
- Promotion of economic and trade exchanges
Long-term advantages
- Self-sufficiency
- Collaborative Governance
- Sustainable development and renewable energy production
- Cost reduction thanks to sharing technological advances
- Controlled urbanization and planned real estate development