You’ve no doubt heard the phrase smart cities over the past few years, but what exactly does the phrase mean for society? Far from just a trendy buzzword, smart cities describes a new urban environment that can be safer, more connected, more socially and economically equal, more liveable and more sustainable.
What are the features of a smart city?
There is no single design for a smart city, but there are several common features of smart city design. These can include:
- Improved access to utilities, affordable homes, health services and education
- Increased mobility via enhanced traffic flows, optimised parking and better access to public transport options
- Safer and more liveable neighbourhoods through smart crime management and community protection
- More green spaces and sustainable infrastructure to combat the urban heat effect
- Public interaction in local and wider government, supported through technology.
What technology do smart cities use?
Smart city design commonly incorporates technology and shared data and communication to improve the way things work within a metropolis. For example, smart city security solutions using Spectur’s cloud-based, wireless surveillance cameras can use AI to distinguish people or vehicles on an industrial site or construction site, and actively deter intruders with spoken warnings and bright light. Local governments could use the same technology to remotely monitor and stop illegal dumping. The wireless security camera system with remote viewing can also be incorporated with shark tag or seabed sensors to autonomously and immediately warn beachgoers of shark activity along a coastline.
Commonly, smart city technology incorporates the power of the Internet of Things (IoT) to share and build on data. Data from a security or sensing system can be used to better direct traffic, maximise community safety and identify patterns for more informed decisions around infrastructure, for example.
How do smart cities aim to be sustainable?
A large part of smart city design is creating a greener vision of the urban landscape, which can have benefits for residents, cost management, tourism and of course the future of the planet. Sustainability is worked into planning and design in a number of ways; minimising waste, managing water and energy resources effectively, and using renewable resources wherever possible. Spectur’s wireless security and sensing systems are a prime example of sustainable security design, with in-built solar panels and batteries for reliable yet sustainable monitoring, deterrence, sensing and protection.
If you’re in the midst of planning for your smarter city initiatives, it’s worth taking a close look at Spectur solutions. Our wireless systems can be integrated with a world of IoT-connected sensors, products and AI to build the smart city security solutions you need.
This sponsored editorial is brought to you by Spectur. For more information, visit spectur.com.au/.
