Five Steps to make a city ‘Smart’

Ravi Kant Malhan

The sustainability battle will be won, or lost, in cities. Cities today contain 50 percent of the world’s population, consume 75 percent of global energy consumption and emit 80 percent of global greenhouse gases. And cities are growing: by 2050, they will be home to 70 percent of the world’s population. What’s required is to make these cities smarter, so that they’re more efficient and sustainable. Here’s a broad outline of what should be done to create smart cities.

1. Setting the vision

Each city is unique, from history to size, its availability of resources, and its complexity of urban development. Some may be playing host to a major event, or expanding fast, or may wish to become greener. But all need to become more attractive to compete on their country’s or on the world’s stage. So every city should plan its future, set its vision and define its roadmap.

2. Bringing in technology

A city is a system of operating systems–an electricity grid, a gas distribution system, a water distribution system, public transport systems, public services, commercial buildings, hospitals and homes. Cities need to improve the efficiency of their operating systems, with tried and tested solutions focusing on the major pain points: power outages, floods, congestion and others. This requires strong technical and process expertise to design an effective solution and ensure data accuracy.

3. Working on integration

Integration of operations and information will further optimize overall city efficiency. Creating connections between the different operating systems will provide the tools, dashboards and intelligence so that the city government can improve city efficiency and so that citizens and companies can get better information and services.

4. Adding innovation

Innovation, through new technology, new financing mechanisms, innovative business models, transformation of how people live, work and play, is key to help each city achieve its holistic sustainable vision.

5. Driving collaboration

A city is a complex value-chain. So the trend is for a new approach that combines public governance, people ownership and business collaboration between best-in-class global and local players. And a smart city is one which provides its citizens with a voice in their city’s life and future.

The author is the director, Smart Cities and Special Projects, Schneider Electric India

(The article was published in PCQuest June 2014 issue)