Smart cities, driven by the desire to enhance the quality of life, incorporate advanced technologies and sustainable practices. These urban centers leverage infrastructure and technological resources to manage services and simplify daily life.

They stand out for innovative solutions addressing housing, environmental, social, and mobility issues, with a focus on efficient data management.

In this article, we will explore the involved concepts, examples, and benefits.

Concept of Smart Cities

Smart cities are those that, aiming to improve the quality of life, employ advanced technologies and sustainable practices. These urban centers use technological resources and infrastructure to manage services and facilitate daily life.

They are known for innovative and sustainable solutions addressing housing, environmental, social, and urban mobility issues. Moreover, they focus on efficient data management, employing technologies to optimize interconnected information and enhance urban operations.

Examples of Smart Cities in Brazil

In recent years, Brazil has achieved new positions in the global innovation ranking. Undoubtedly, smart cities play a significant role in this scenario, becoming a model for innovation in the country.

To assess the level of technological and sustainable advancement in cities, the Connected Smart Cities ranking is the major reference in the country, determining which Brazilian municipalities can be characterized as smart cities based on innovations in their management.

Curitiba

Curitiba stands out as the smartest city in Brazil and is listed in the global ranking by the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF). Recognized as an ecological capital, the city invests in innovative projects, such as implementing the first smart streetlight with 5G antennas.

Additionally, it adopts public transportation powered by electricity and biofuels, promotes online scheduling for health appointments, and encourages the exchange of recyclables for fresh produce. With investments in urban afforestation and research programs, Curitiba positions itself as a leader in integrating sustainability and technology.

Florianópolis

Known as the Brazilian Silicon Island, Florianópolis is an innovation hub in the south of the country. The city’s management focuses on modernization and the use of innovative tools to improve the quality of life for its residents.

Initiatives such as the urban innovation lab, the technological ecosystem driving major companies, and an extensive network of bike lanes stand out. Laws supporting science, technology, and innovation, along with accessible public transportation policies, contribute to positioning Florianópolis as a reference in smart cities.

São Paulo

São Paulo, the largest innovation ecosystem in Brazil, aims to become a megacity of the future.

Highlighting in the international “Global Cities of the Future” ranking, the capital implements intelligent solutions for business and quality of life improvement. Smart traffic lights, LED street lighting, and an extensive network of bike lanes are some of the initiatives.

São Paulo is also a pioneer in adopting PIX payment for public transportation and computerized real estate registration, strengthening its role as a leader in urban innovation in the country.

Vitória

The capital of Espírito Santo, Vitória, stands out as a smart city with an eye on the future, investing in innovation, technology, and compliance.

The implementation of an intelligent street lighting system, digitization of public services, and monitoring of risk areas demonstrate the city’s commitment to safety and efficiency. Furthermore, Vitória stands out by achieving 100% solid waste collection, offering online public school enrollment, and significantly investing in education, with per capita values exceeding R$1,000 per inhabitant. These initiatives consolidate Vitória as one of the protagonists in the trajectory of smart cities in Brazil.

Examples of Smart Cities abroad

With technologies emerging continuously for the proper growth of cities, urban centers will continue to undergo transformations and gain strength in the smart city model.

In fact, Technavio predicts that smart cities worldwide are expected to generate more than $55 billion by 2026.

For this reason, cities are becoming more accessible, inclusive, and modern. Check which cities are in the ranking compiled by the Spain School of Management and Business (IESE), one of the most relevant in the world.

London

Since 2013, London has been a global reference in smart city development, prioritizing citizens in its smart city model. The British capital stands out for initiatives aimed at reducing the circulation of polluting vehicles in the central region, transforming areas into exclusive pedestrian spaces.

Additionally, 5G connectivity throughout the city, free access to public Wi-Fi, electric vehicle charging points, air quality sensors, and significant investments in education quality solidify London as an innovative and sustainable city.

New York

New York, one of the world’s largest metropolises, has been in the global smart city ranking for over five years. The city invests in sustainable urban planning, leading indicators in the economy, human capital, planning, international projection, urban mobility, and technology.

Innovations such as energy and water resource conservation, daily monitoring of water consumption, air monitoring, smart traffic lights, free internet on the streets, and an interactive platform on local events solidify New York as an example of urban efficiency and technological innovation.

Paris

Paris, known for its culture and architecture, stands out as a smart city that preserves its history while embracing technological and sustainable development. The “15-minute city” concept promotes an environment where needs can be met within a short radius.

Committed to environmental goals, Paris invests in car-free squares, urban traffic control, bike lanes, schools as community centers, and streets adapted for child safety. As the headquarters of the Paris Agreement, the city continues to lead urban projects seeking to balance modernity and environmental respect.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a pioneer city in technology and sustainability, serving as an example of a smart city. The Dutch capital has adopted a collaborative approach with public-private partnerships to develop over 80 projects throughout the city.

Initiatives such as an innovation platform to solve urban problems, ongoing mobility projects with a preference for bicycles and low-carbon transportation, electric car charging stations, real-time traffic management, and speed alerts near schools demonstrate Amsterdam’s commitment to urban quality of life and sustainability.

What are the characteristics of a Smart City?

Structuring large projects for smart cities is not as simple as incorporating certain technologies into the urban landscape. It is necessary to understand their impact on the daily lives of citizens.

Therefore, there are characteristics and indicators that assist administrations in understanding the level of intelligence in their cities.

According to a study by the McKinsey Global Institute, the use of technologies in smart cities can increase indicators by up to 30%. This number represents a high index of development and efficiency in management and service delivery.

Below, we have outlined the main indicators of a smart city. Check them out!

Human capital

Human capital is an indicator focused on culture and quality education.

In this case, factors such as the number of universities, schools, museums, art galleries, recreational areas, and other places contributing to education and culture are analyzed.

Social cohesion

Social cohesion is related to groups of people with different social aspects, lifestyles, cultures, and income. The primary goal of this indicator is to ensure everyone’s rights.

For this, factors such as human rights, social inclusion, security, crime rate, unemployment, and income distribution are evaluated.

Economic development

Ensuring economic development with plans for industry, innovation, entrepreneurship, and job creation is one of the main characteristics of smart cities.

To assess if a municipality is meeting these requirements, considerations include population income, a city’s GDP, and the percentage of investments contributing to the local economy.

Environment

When it comes to smart cities, sustainability and technology go hand in hand for sustainable urban development.

To meet the needs of the population without compromising the environment and future generations, factors such as the amount of waste generated, gas emissions, pollution index, sanitation, and drinking water are carefully analyzed.

Governance

The smart city ranking assesses governance through the stability, quality, and efficiency of government interventions.

Common indicators include the city’s economic reserves, perception of corruption, and certifications proving the quality of services provided to the population.

Urban planning

Urban planning is indispensable for managing any city, and in the context of smart cities, it’s no different.

Indicators such as sanitation, decent housing, optimization of public spaces, and constructed buildings are frequently assessed in this aspect.

International projection

International recognition through strategic plans and the ability to attract global investments are decisive factors in characterizing a smart city.

Indicators include conferences and congresses hosted by the city and its capacity and infrastructure for tourism, such as airports and hotels.

Mobility and transportation

A smart city should prioritize alternative transportation systems and provide quality infrastructure. This ensures that everyone can move around the city and access public services easily, quickly, and with absolute safety.

Hence, assessments cover urban mobility structures, accessibility, traffic index, and innovative and sustainable transport solutions.

Technology

There is no smart city without technology. This criterion is fundamental for measuring a city’s level of innovation.

Therefore, evaluating the population’s connectivity level, considering internet access, mobile network coverage, fiber optics, and other technological infrastructures available to citizens, is part of the technology indicators.

Benefits of Smart Cities

The implementation of technology in smart cities offers a range of benefits that directly impact residents’ quality of life. These transformations span various areas, bringing significant improvements in several aspects.

Transportation efficiency

Technology allows dynamic adjustments to public transportation routes in real-time, making transportation more efficient.

Additionally, alerts about the best times to use public transport are provided, reducing congestion during peak hours. The presence of smart traffic lights optimizes traffic flow, contributing to the reduction of traffic jams.

Enhanced security

Strategically installed surveillance cameras constantly monitor public areas, providing real-time visual records for suspect identification and prevention of criminal activities.

Smart lighting, adjusted automatically to environmental conditions, not only improves visibility but also deters criminal actions.

Quality healthcare

Connected hospitals enable quick access to medical data, facilitating precise diagnoses and effective treatments. The integration of healthcare services simplifies scheduling and access to specialized medical services through mobile applications.

Innovative and accessible education

Educational environments are transformed with classrooms equipped with technological resources. Digitization and online educational programs democratize access to education, allowing previously marginalized communities to enjoy previously inaccessible educational resources.

Efficient infrastructure

Predictive analysis and smart sensors identify structural issues before failures occur, allowing the efficient allocation of resources for maintenance. This preventive approach reduces costs and prevents major damages.

Active resident participation

Connectivity between residents and local government through applications enables reporting of local issues and participation in community decisions. This creates an engaged community, facilitating the resolution of local issues.

Impact of technology on Smart Cities

The integration of technology into smart cities brings substantial improvements in efficiency, security, and residents’ quality of life. This transformation occurs through the connection and integration of devices, sensors, and systems into a broad communication network. Let’s explore how technology impacts different sectors in smart cities:

Street Lighting

Technology, such as the implementation of the Internet of Things (IoT) in streetlights, allows remote management of the lighting park. Equipped with sensors, these street lights collect crucial data, such as light levels and energy consumption, sending them to management platforms.

This enables real-time monitoring of the status of streetlights, identifying faults, and allowing preventive interventions, reducing costs and downtime.

Urban cleaning

IoT-based software monitors waste collection operations, offering geolocation of teams, optimized fleet management, data on waste volume, and checklists of work performed. This innovative approach improves waste collection management, optimizing routes, and promoting sustainable practices.

Sanitation

Using software, it is possible to manage rivers and watersheds to preserve water resources. This technology monitors the release of sewage into rivers and springs, allowing preventive and corrective actions.

Digital hydrological maps facilitate visualization and access to information about water quality, contributing to environmental preservation and improvement of public health.

Tree planting

Technology plays a crucial role in the management and planting of urban trees. Sensors monitor temperature, soil moisture, air quality, and real-time pollution levels. These data support analyses to identify preventive maintenance and ensure the proper growth of trees.

Soil moisture sensors activate irrigation systems when necessary, promoting efficient water use and contributing to the health of trees and the urban environment.

The future of Smart Cities

In Boston, the Integrated Boston 2030 project stands out for its long-term vision, promoting democratic occupation of public spaces and social and economic revitalization.

With over 15,000 citizens contributing, the plan aims to encourage accessibility, reduce commuting time to boost urban mobility, facilitate access to employment, and promote inclusive economic growth.

Investments in open public spaces for art, culture, and environments prepared for climate change also characterize the project, all aligned with advanced technological solutions.

The future of smart cities is intrinsically linked to data management. At events like the Centro Conference in Alvaiázere, Portugal, experts emphasize the continuous collection of data to anticipate issues in cities. Effective data management is crucial for making efficient decisions.

Alvaiázere’s Chamber President, Célia Marques, emphasizes that digital progress must be coupled with knowledge transmission to build better solutions and services, especially in low-density territories.

Urban planning emerges as a fundamental piece in building smart cities. Examples such as Cartagena, Spain; Fujisawa Sustainable Smart Town, Japan; and Copenhagen, Denmark, illustrate creative, innovative, and sustainable projects.

These cities, though distinct, share the ability to adapt their projects to local demands, highlighting that urban planning is essential for both cities in the project phase and those already implemented but in need of significant transformations.

Smart Cities: more technology, more development

As you’ve seen in this post, smart cities are not just cities with diverse infrastructures. They are formats that broaden our vision as citizens about the experiences of inhabiting a city.

Depending on the applied technology, it is possible to transform realities and stimulate local development. In Brazil, for example, the initiation of smart cities typically occurs through public-private partnerships for street lighting. 

This is because this infrastructure can be repurposed for the integration of other innovative technologies, forming a set of solutions for urban mobility, people monitoring, among others. Explore how Exati can assist you in making the smart city project a reality.