What exactly is smart city?

The budget for the fiscal year 2016/17 has envisioned of developing Kathmandu, Lumbini as smart cities. So what exactly is a smart city? Everything is getting a lot smarter than before. Smart phone, Smart watch, smart technology and now smart city has been a buzzword. Generally, a city is believed to be smart if it uses ICT to enhance the quality of urban services.

A smart city is a vision with the information and communication technology as a basis to integrate city’s components. The city’s components include from schools, transportation, water supply to everything citizen need to continue a standard living. The smart city envisions to improve citizens’ life using technology. The information about your city remains in the single click of your finger. You are in direct interaction with what is happening in your cities. We get information using our smart devices.

In a smart city, smart infrastructure is connected with smart technology. Every infrastructure is advanced. The needs and essentials need to beyond the definition of adequacy. There needn’t only be an adequate supply of water but more than that. Our infrastructure of the environment is embedded with data driven system. Water supply, electricity, transportation, waste management, law enforcement becomes more efficient being aided by technological advancement. Traffic patterns will be adjusted in such a way to adapt to accidents and weather conditions. If you are having any problems with water supply, electricity supply, traffic, school system or law system you report via mobile apps.

Every infrastructure with sensor layer is directly connected to the internet. These sensors facilitate monitoring, control and give advance warnings during disasters. For examples, a temperature sensor in electric cables, gas leakage detectors, traffic flow control and the like. It is a new approach to city management.

Urbanization has given a rise to a variety of problems, pollution, congestion, accidents, ICT brings in new innovation, design, applications for smart energy, smart transportation, buildings, smart government. You will have smart solutions. Smart waste management will lead waste to compost, waste water to be treated, waste to energy and fuel. Smart energy management will make device renewable sources of energy, smart equipment for energy management and so on.

Some technologies smart cities must have:

• Parking apps that show drivers where the nearest available parking spot is.
• High-tech waste management systems. Pay As You Throw garbage disposal would encourage people to recycle more and waste less.
• All-digital payment system -A city guide app, with information about museums, parks, landmarks, public art, restaurants and real-time traffic data.
• App or social media-based emergency alert and crisis response systems — every citizen should have access to vital information.
• OLED lights and surveillance in high-crime zones
• Charging stations, like the solar-powered Strawberry Tree in Serbia. They also function as bus stops and Wi-Fi hot spots.
• Roofs covered with solar panels or gardens.