A recent report by the Institution of Engineering and Technology [1], one of the world’s largest engineering institutions with over 167,000 members in 127 countries, shows that only 18% of the British public has heard of a ‘smart city’ and many are unaware that city-wide technologies could improve the quality of life in urban areas.
[2]The report, made available to all attendees at The DailyDOOH Media Summit [3] and other events during London Digital Signage Week [4], showed that, despite considerable investment by the UK government, local authorities and businesses, there is a basic lack of awareness among the British public about what a smart city is, does, and its potential.
The danger, notes the findings, is that smart cities may be developed without sufficient insight into what people actually want them to deliver.
A smart city uses modern digital communications technology to monitor, manage and enhance key infrastructure and public services. This can include transport and traffic management, energy, water and waste management, healthcare and other community services. Eg. LinkNYC [5] is helping make New York a smart city by replacing old telephone booths with units that, among other things, allow people to place free Wi-Fi calls across North America at no cost.
In the UK, IET research shows that awareness of smart cities is lowest among those aged over 65 (6%) and highest among those aged 18-34 (37%).
When survey respondents were asked for their views on five smart city technologies and how useful they might be if they were introduced in their local area, the results revealed a lack of any clear consensus:
- 29% felt that ‘intelligent’ streetlights activated by movement to improve safety, deter crime and save energy would be most useful;
- 25% were most interested in buildings that generate their own energy – and collect and recycle water and waste;
- 23% thought sensors embedded in roads and buildings which measure traffic flows, predict congestion, and adjust traffic lights and signals, would be most useful;
- 15% said they would most like to receive up-to-the-minute travel information via smart phone, enabling them to plan and pay for journeys, using different types of transport;
- 8% saw most value in being able to order driverless or electric transport from their smart phone.
The report also notes projects in Glasgow, Peterborough, Bristol and London that have successfully taken a people-centred approach to smart cities and offer examples of how technology can improve the quality of life for residents, workers and visitors alike.
The IET Is advocating three initiatives:
- A UK-wide public engagement programme about the positive role technology can play in helping to improve UK cities and communities;
- The need for all those involved in developing and delivering technology-enabled cities to fully engage with citizens and communities;
- Explore the changes required in the delivery, measurement and operation of new smart city services.
“It’s important that public authorities, businesses and service providers understand the innovations and issues that people want to see in smart cities and communities – and put greater emphasis on the human and societal outcomes of their initiatives,” says Alan Howard, IET head of thought leadership. “Putting people first, rather than technology, is essential if we are to improve quality of life and create livable, connected and sustainable cities and communities in which to live, work and invest. Without this, we risk developing technology-enabled cities and communities that people neither recognize or value.”