A collection of studies have been released by Effat’s Computer Sciences department, which discusses a new approach towards “smart cities” using modern city technology.
What are smart cities?
Smart cities means data-collecting cities. For example, sensors in the city might collect data about traffic flow, energy usage, or air quality, waste levels, or emergency incidents.
By processing this data, the city can be optimised: traffic could be rerouted in real-time to reduce congestion, for example, or new roads can be planned.
Ultimately, they can provide a higher quality of life for residents, as well as being good for the environment and the economy.
What do the new studies tell us?
The new book, edited in part by Miltiadis D. Lytras of Effat University, approaches the smart city topic from multiple angles, including costs, good management, effect on jobs, and effects on healthcare.
A major takeaway is further expiration of the idea of “Smart Cities 5.0”, a key feature of which is the “Urban Digital Ecosystem”.
In this very part of the city (like buildings, transportation systems, public services, etc.) can be represented by a "smart agent." Think of these smart agents as small computer programs or AI helpers that can make decisions on behalf of each city element.
This cooperation and competition among smart services are possible because of specialised network protocols, which are like sets of rules that ensure everyone plays nice.
To further demonstrate the Smart City 5.0 concept, the researchers developed practical examples such as modelling in Smart Cities, implementing multi agent technologies (using intelligent computer programs), creating a city ontology (a structured understanding of city-related concepts), and a city knowledge base that could facilitate the communication that would be needed between different systems.
As populations grow and city size increases, cities will face new challenges. The study of smart cities is showing that modern city technology will allow services to improve for residents and visitors in spite of those challenges.
Is there a link between smart cities and 15-minute cities?
While the main focus of this research is largely on digitalisation and smart cities, and how their development has the potential to improve the happiness and wellbeing of their populations, there is also a distinct connection between these factors and 15-minute cities.
What is a 15-minute city?
15-minute cities are an urban planning concept that suggests that all city residents are a simple 15-minute walk or cycle away from every amenity they could need. This could include everything from food and restaurants, green and recreational spaces, and even jobs, doctor’s surgeries and other small businesses.
Smart Cities and Digital Transformation: Empowering Communities, Limitless Innovation and Sustainable Development, written by Effat researchers aims to bring together social scientists, computer scientists, information systems specialists, policymakers, students, industry stakeholders, and government officers, to help them navigate the intricacies of urban planning concepts like 15-minute cities, and smart cities as a whole.
Through this research, an understanding can be gained of the benefits and potential pitfalls of smart city planning and digitalisation, which, when applied to urban planning ideas like 15-minute cities, could greatly improve the success.
About “Smart Cities and Digital Transformation”
The aim of this collection is to help the reader understand how knowledge found through computer sciences and social sciences can be used to solve real-world problems.
This collection of works is split into 16 chapters, each taking a unique look at the concept of smart cities, and how they can be approached. These concepts include everything from identifying challenges faced by the next generation, to how the Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the digital transformation of cities - with digitalisation an intrinsic element of the recently discussed ‘15-minute cities’ urban planning method, which is taking hold in countries like the UK.
These works also discuss the evolution of cities as complex urban systems with difficulties like congestion, pollution, overcrowding, and inadequate services, and how we can approach these issues through the ‘Smart City 5.0’ concept.
Alongside this, the discussion of cities becoming smarter through ‘Internet of Things’ devices is also delved into, answering the questions - What is a smart city? And what is Digital Transformation, and how can it help to manage smart cities?
The Smart Citizen in Smart City
Mobility and Health in the Smart City 3.0: Trends and Innovations in Italian Context
Future Mobility – Digital Transformation of Automotive Companies as a Question of Organisational Identity
Other topics engaged in through this study include:
SDigital Transformation of City Branding: Comparison of the Role of Digital Communication in Branding of Selected Cities in Europe and Slovakia
Designing Policy for Smart Cities
The Role of Commons in Smart Sustainable Development: A Hybrid Approach for the Recovery of Settlement Systems
The Role of Open Data in the Transformation to Society 5.0: A Resource or a Tool for SDG-Compliant Smart Living?
AI and Employability: Challenges and Solutions from This Technology Transfer
The Use of IOT Technology and Big Data in Smart Cities: Examples from Slovenia
Cost–Benefit Analysis of Advanced Metering Infrastructure Implementation for
Strengthening Smart City in Indonesia
Digital Transformation and Smart Cities: Insights from the Healthcare Domain
Smart City 5.0 as the Digital Ecosystem of Smart Services. Practical Applications
This highly comprehensive approach towards smart cities and the questions they pose will no doubt be incredibly helpful for future urban planning considerations and help to bridge the gap in our understanding of smart cities and their application across the planet.
This publication can be
accessed or purchased from emerald.com.
