The 10 factors that are driving smart cities forward
World Urbanism Day 2024
- Astara showcases how smart city solutions are transforming urban sustainability and quality of life.
- The company emphasizes the importance of technological innovation in anticipating and addressing future urban challenges.
Madrid/Kontich, 8 November 2024 – In recognition of World Urbanism Day, also known as World Town Planning Day, Astara, a global mobility company, presents a comprehensive analysis of the ten areas leading the transformation of smart cities, aiming to build more sustainable, efficient, and people-centered urban environments. Supported by advanced technology, these cities provide solutions to the challenges of urbanization and sustainability in a world where the urban population is growing exponentially. Below are the ten essential areas for the development of a smart city, with innovative examples and cutting-edge technologies in each:
- Data Analysis: Projects like the IBM Smarter Cities Challenge in Dublin have implemented urban data analytics platforms to manage traffic, public transport, and the environment, providing real-time information for city management.
- Urban Planning and Design: The Virtual Singapore platform offers a 3D digital model that enables simulations for urban development. These tools help anticipate the impact of urban planning decisions on infrastructure and the environment.
- Environmental Science: Initiatives such as Copenhagen’s Climate Adaptation Plan introduce green infrastructure, including green roofs and bioretention systems, to manage rainwater and mitigate urban heat effects.
- Computer and Information Technology: Barcelona’s Sentilo platform is an open sensor network connecting traffic, waste management, and parking systems, optimizing resource management.
- Energy: The Smart City Energy Lab in Amsterdam serves as a living laboratory to test smart grid technologies, including home energy management systems and EV charging infrastructure.
- Transport: Los Angeles has implemented the Automated Traffic Surveillance and Control System (ATSAC), which uses real-time data to adjust traffic light synchronization, improving traffic flow and reducing emissions.
- Social Sciences: Programs like Helsinki’s Participatory Budget allow citizens to propose and vote on neighborhood improvement projects, fostering community engagement and cohesion.
- Health: New York’s Environmental Health Data Portal provides open data on environmental health, helping to identify and address challenges in this area, while platforms like Philips’ HealthSuite integrate data for a holistic view of urban health.
- Public Safety: Chicago has implemented Strategic Decision Support Centers in high-crime districts, integrating real-time data and predictive analysis to improve police response and reduce crime.
- E-governance: Estonia’s e-Residency Program allows foreign citizens to access Estonian services, such as business formation and digital banking, promoting entrepreneurship and the digital economy.
Towards smarter, more sustainable, and connected cities
Sebastián Canadell, Chief of Astara Intelligence, underscores the importance of this transition: “Technological innovation in cities is key to building environments that not only address current challenges but also anticipate future ones. At Astara, we are committed to supporting the development of solutions that enhance efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and ultimately enrich citizens’ lives. This holistic approach to smart cities is essential to ensuring sustainable and resilient urbanization.”
According to MarketsandMarkets, the smart city market will reach $873.7 billion by 2026, driven by increasing urbanization and the need for more efficient, sustainable cities. This growth highlights the relevance of technological innovations led by companies like Astara. On World Urbanism Day, which aims to raise awareness of the relevance of urban planning to improve the quality of life in cities, these innovations are essential to building future cities that meet 21st-century needs.
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About Astara: the Open Mobility Company
We are an open mobility company, with a human-to-human approach, committed to sustainability.
With a turnover of more than 5.2 billion euros in 2023, and a diverse team of 3,000 employees with nearly 50 nationalities across 19 countries and 3 continents (Europe, LATAM and Southeast Asia), Astara offers a complete mobility ecosystem including buying, subscription, carsharing and advisory options. All backed by data intelligence and supported by the Astara platform.
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For more information about Astara, visit www.astara.com