What is a Smart City?

“Smarty city” is a term that is being thrown around quite often these days. Already popular in the west, and for quite some time now, smart city seems to have more than one concept associated to it actually. Given all that jazz and the fact that it is still a new theory in India, it is quite obvious for people to wonder as to what a smart city is after all, and how does it differ from the standard definition of a “city”.

Find out all about this new real estate model and all that it entails, as we set to explore its many aspects here.

Unravelling the concept of smart city

To begin with, the term “smart city” is generally used from an urban point of view, and refers to a settlement that employs various electronic and technological features to better manage its resources and assets in order to offer a lifestyle that is at par with the most modern expectations.

The integration of information and communication technology, also known as ICT, is a popular practice in most of the smart city models. The goal behind a smart city concept is to improve services and operations in the area, so as to achieve enhanced connection between the government and the public. The use of advanced measures therefore, becomes clear here, as they help garner interactivity, not only between the administration and their infrastructure, but also between those living in the city.

Features that you can expect in a hi-tech smart city

To better understand as to what a smart city is in the real sense, we need to take a close look at the many aspects that go on to make a city, a smart city.

Although the specifications of the term may vary from place to place, the top aspects, as noted in hi-tech smart city master plans in Delhi include the following –

The smart management of basic amenities

One of the benefits of a smart city and a major point of distinction between these and standard urban settlements is that here, the arrangement of the most basic of amenities, such as power and water supply, is done in a planned and logical manner. Smart city models make use of smart metering to ensure careful usage of water and electricity and to prevent any wastage, whatsoever. These meters allow residents to track their electricity usage and also cut off the supply temporarily when they are travelling.

Smart metering also enables the management to track issues, such as faults in the electricity, leakage of water, falling quality of water, and so on. Along with power and water supplies, online bill payments and online records for cooking gas are also among the other benefits of a smart city that residents receive.

Most efficient safety and security measures

Smart city models have advanced provisions for ensuring the complete safety and security of the residents, along with taking steps to improve their quality of life. Cutting-edge technological tools are employed across the residential spaces and throughout the city, to achieve the same.

Video analytics and security cameras with high resolution imaging features are installed at various junctions to keep note of the incoming and outgoing vehicles. The residential communities are all gated and well-guarded. Admission is allowed to restricted vehicles only, and all data from surveillance systems is stored for regular reviewing.

Eco-friendly measures for healthy living

Another major benefit of living in a smart city comes in the form of the attention that is given to the improvement of quality of life. The incorporation of different environment-friendly measures in the development of a smart city project is also among the core qualities that set it apart from other establishments.

Along with maintaining vast expanses of green land, smart city models have organic waste converters for the responsible disposal of solid waste as well. This step not only prevents the emission of pollutants out in the open, but also creates manure that is then utilised in horticulture.

Some highly anticipated hi-tech smart city master plans in Delhi include provisions for air quality monitoring in addition to the above.

Smart solutions for daily urban challenges

Smart city models are results of in-depth planning and futuristic forethought. They are developed with the core idea of a city that looks out for its residents. Smart cities, in a lot of ways are prepared to counter the challenges that the urban population is exposed to on a regular basis.

Unlike common residential establishments, smart city models have a central command that acts as the brain of the city. To put it in simpler terms, this central command works towards monitoring and co-ordinating all of the components within the city. They have a city portal in place, wherein residents can register to recharge or monitor certain services online. The portal also has facilities for complaint management, which are available 24 hours a day.

Smart cities also have smart traffic signals, real-time traffic updates, and GPS based tracking of public transports at their disposal to mitigate issues of traffic.

In the end, it won’t be wrong to say that smart city models are created with a view to encourage smart living. Smart living here would refer to a smooth-flowing, hassle-free lifestyle as a part of which people make judicious use of resources, make clean and green surroundings a priority, and conserve assets.

The breadth of revolutionary technologies that smart cities bring into use ensures that things work in a smart and sustainable manner, all the time.