Smart city - when the city is connected.
What is a smart city? The definition
A smart city offers its population a high quality of life with minimal use of resources, through networking, increased collaboration, participation and innovation. Eine Smart City uses digital technologies and smart infrastructures to make cities more livable, sustainable and efficient. The term “smart” originally means “clever” or “connected” and is increasingly being used in urban areas. Smart solutions and intelligent infrastructure make modern cities more environmentally friendly and safer. Typical measures include connected sensors, which collect traffic and building automation data and can thus be used more efficiently. These technologies help to make everyday life easier for residents and make cities more sustainable.
How does a smart city work?
In a smart city, sensors, cameras and digital technologies are connected to collect and process data efficiently. This data is stored in clouds and can be accessed there for various applications. Through this connection, cities can react to information and adapt solutions as needed — from traffic control to building automation.
The innovative features of a smart city
- Smart parking and lighting
- Parking sensors guide drivers to free parking spaces in real time, which improves traffic flow and reduces traffic jams. Street lighting also automatically adapts to traffic volumes in order to save energy.
- Safety and security solutions
- Networked cameras and sensors ensure safety in public spaces. Road users and residents are informed about current incidents and receive warnings, for example in the event of slippery weather or high levels of particulate matter.
- Building automation
- Heating and cooling devices adapt intelligently to weather and room occupancy. Water and gas pipes are also monitored so that leaks can be detected early on, and water quality is regularly checked.
- Smart waste management
- Dumpsters report their fill levels so that garbage collection routes can be optimized. Smart trash bins recognize types of waste and separate garbage as soon as it is thrown in.
- Smart energy supply
- Electricity-intensive processes that are not time-critical, such as the exact charging time of an electric car at night, are carried out when there is a lot of electricity in the grid.
Data protection in smart cities
The large amounts of data generated in a smart city must be stored and processed securely. Data protection is particularly important when it comes to personal data. Laws and regulations should ensure that privacy is protected. One example is the “right to be forgotten,” which allows citizens to delete personal data from search engines.
Smart cities — cities of the future
Smart cities represent the future of urban development. Through digital technologies and smart networks, they offer the opportunity to make cities more livable and efficient.
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