Five Data Points on Smart Cities
Bentley’s Sandeep Purao (right) is working with Waltham officials and the Council on Aging to understand how city priorities line up with the values of residents, and how these factors will influence the design of smart-city solutions. The Trustee Professor of Information and Process Management is pictured with Council on Aging Director Marybeth Duffy and City Councilor Carlos Vidal.
COMMUNITIES ARE KEY
“Smart cities” use infrastructures and connected devices to make operations more efficient and improve citizens’ lives. A city is made up of different groups or communities — and it’s vital to consider them when developing these initiatives. So, the better phrase is “smart cities and communities.” It isn’t about listening to the loudest voices, but to the individuals and groups most in need of support, such as elderly, disabled and immigrant populations.
VALUES DRIVE DESIGN
Every city faces different concerns — security, energy, crime, aging infrastructure — which can guide a smart design unique to the setting. Singapore, for example, is densely populated and strictly monitors law and order, traffic and the cleanliness of public places. Waltham has many residents aged 65 or older and a diverse immigrant population. It’s important to explore how a city’s values align or conflict with community values, then design effective solutions.
LEARN FROM EXPERIENCE
Some concerns, such as physical, fiscal and social infrastructure, persist in cities across scale and age. Traffic woes are a prime example, with rush hours (or rush minutes) a fact of daily life for many people. To alleviate congestion, cities may use sensors to detect traffic patterns, and strategies such as tolls or different rules for cars and trucks. Studying the experiences of others can help cities get out in front of such issues.
COLLABORATION EASES CHANGE
Even the best solution may not work unless everyone is on board. Typically, a number of players must come together to address policy and organizational changes and bring ideas to fruition. For example, city councilors must work with the mayor’s office and several city government departments to coordinate efforts and resources.
TECHNOLOGY IS ONLY THE START
A smart city may gather data via technology platforms such as sensors and cameras as well as infrastructures such as WiFi. New York City, for example, tracks entrances and exits from metro train stations. Using large data streams to improve efficiency and citizens’ quality of life is a promising research direction. But the technology platforms and resulting big data provide only a starting point. The challenge remains to design solutions that build on these platforms in response to community values.