A smart municipality uses information and communication technologies (ICT) to achieve optimal operational efficiencies, bolster economic growth and improve the quality of life of its citizens.
The level of ‘smartness’ of a municipality hinges on a number of variables. Topping that list are environmental sustainability initiatives, an infrastructure that utilizes robust technologies, a superior public transportation system, and accomplished urban planning.
The notion of smart municipalities began in the 60s, when data began to be collected in the interests of disaster prevention and poverty reduction. Over time, smart cities began to progressively develop in tandem with emerging technology.
Smart City Evolution
The first iteration of a smart municipality was founded on the importance of technology, and was driven by experts in the field who rushed to implement infrastructural technologies in cities. Unfortunately, this occurred before the implications of the technology and its impacts on municipal life were completely understood.
The municipalities themselves eventually took over the determination of how technology would be deployed to affect the futures of cities. This adaptation was more focused on forward-thinking, and the consideration of how smart technology could be used to spark innovation and more adequately serve municipalities.
The next evolution of smart cities saw a new figurehead emerge to take control – the citizen. In a bid to foster greater equity and social inclusion, a new model has been established mostly by the citizens of municipalities to harness the power of technology in the interests of continued progress and municipal betterment.
The Leaders
Many municipalities in North America and beyond have been applying smart technologies over the past several years, and the ones that have truly embraced the concept have established themselves as smart city leaders – Singapore, New York City, Kansas City, Barcelona, and Toronto.
Smart technology such as IoT-powered sensors and cameras are deployed in several capacities in these cities to serve a number of purposes. They monitor crowd densities, traffic patterns, water consumption and municipal sanitation and cleanliness. Singapore, widely considered to be one of the smartest cities in the world, even keeps an eye on its senior citizens by deploying a monitoring system that governs the health and well-being of its elderly population.
Render Developments
Render Developments is at the leading edge of the digital revolution, partnering with North American municipalities through specializing in digital visualization and the creation of municipal touring programs. This technological asset provides investors with the ability to view a city’s landmarks and main focal points in vivid detail via a virtual tour. Render has developed these tours for several municipalities to bolster revenue generation, and continues to work with municipalities of all sizes to help them secure significant investment opportunities.
