Constant monitoring, sensors that collect information in real time, Big Data and advanced analytics make up the DNA that keeps these cities alive and efficient. The objective: to improve the quality of life of its inhabitants and optimize resources.
The technological urban revolution
By: Gabriel E. Levy B.
The transformation of cities is not something new. Since the rise of the first industrial cities in the nineteenth century, urban centers have been subjected to continuous processes of change and modernization.
However, what is happening today is unique: technology has ceased to be just a complement to become the axis that defines the growth and operation of metropolises.
This change not only covers infrastructure, but also profoundly affects public management and the interaction of citizens with their environment.
Anthony M. Townsend, in his book Smart Cities: Big Data, Civic Hackers, and the Quest for a New Utopia, points out that the rise of smart cities arises as a response to the need to manage the rapid growth of cities and their demands for energy, mobility, utilities, and sustainability.
Today, one cannot talk about urban modernization without mentioning the sensors distributed on every corner or the massive collection of data that allows for real-time decision-making.
Smart cities have integrated these technological tools not only to be more efficient, but to anticipate problems and solve them before they affect their citizens.
The invisible infrastructure that sustains cities
To understand how a smart city works, it’s essential to look beyond its buildings and roads.
The sensors and monitoring networks that are part of the infrastructure of these cities often go unnoticed by ordinary citizens, but their impact is tangible in almost all aspects of daily life.
A traffic sensor, for example, can divert a route to avoid congestion, while an air quality monitoring system can alert the population when pollution levels exceed acceptable limits.
Sensor networks collect enormous amounts of information in real time, from air temperature to energy consumption patterns in a neighborhood.
This data is then processed through Big Data tools, which allow the identification of trends, correlations and even predictions of future behaviors.
As Rob Kitchin, an expert in digital geography, points out in his article: “The Real-Time City? Big Data and Smart Urbanism, “the real-time analysis of large volumes of data allows cities to operate more efficiently, proactively and dynamically”.
Thanks to this technological ecosystem, smart cities are able to react instantly to various problems: from traffic management at peak times to emergency response.
This dynamism makes a crucial difference compared to traditional urban management systems, which are often slow and reactive. In addition, with the integration of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), data analysis has become even more accurate and sophisticated, allowing cities to “learn” from their own patterns and continuously optimize their operation.
The social implications of the use of Big Data
But it’s not all about efficiency and optimization. The heavy use of sensors and massive data collection also raises ethical and societal concerns. A clear example is the issue of privacy. As cities collect more and more information about their inhabitants, from their movements to their consumption habits, the debate arises about the extent to which governments and private companies have the right to access this data.
David Lyon, an expert in surveillance and urban technologies, has warned of the risks of a “surveillance society” in his book Surveillance Society: Monitoring Everyday Life. Smart cities, he argues, run the risk of becoming spaces where every action of citizens is monitored, stored and analyzed. This “ubiquitous surveillance” can lead to the violation of fundamental rights, such as privacy, if data collection systems are not properly regulated.
In addition, unequal access to technologies in smart cities can exacerbate social inequalities.
Not all citizens have the same ability to benefit from the technological innovations offered by smart cities, which could create new gaps between the richest and poorest sectors of society.
While some enjoy personalized and streamlined services, others may be left behind, without access to the same perks.
Concrete examples of smart cities in action
Cities around the world have adopted the smart city model, with variations in the implementation of monitoring technologies, sensors, and Big Data.
An emblematic example is Singapore, which has used these tools to become one of the most efficient cities in the world.
With a real-time traffic monitoring system and sensors that record water and energy use, Singapore has managed to optimize its resources and reduce environmental impact.
In Europe, the city of Barcelona is also a pioneer in the adoption of smart technologies. Its public lighting system is based on sensors that adjust the intensity of the lights according to the number of pedestrians or vehicles present on the streets, which reduces energy consumption.
In addition, Barcelona has implemented citizen participation platforms that use Big Data to improve decision-making on issues such as transport and waste management.
Meanwhile, in Latin America, the city of Medellín, Colombia, has emerged as a success story in the implementation of smart solutions to mobility and security issues. Through an integrated public transport system that uses sensors and data analysis, the city has managed to reduce travel time and improve the safety of its citizens.
These examples reflect the diversity of approaches that smart cities can take, depending on their particular contexts and needs. However, they all share the same goal: to use technology to improve the lives of their inhabitants and manage resources more efficiently and sustainably.
In conclusion, monitoring, sensors, Big Data and analytics form the DNA of smart cities, allowing cities in the 21st century to be more efficient, sustainable and resilient. However, this technological advancement also poses ethical and societal challenges that need to be addressed with care. The key to the success of smart cities lies not only in technology, but in how it is integrated equitably and responsibly into the lives of citizens.
