While the concept of smart cities and towns might appear futuristic, the reality is that we might already be living in one without realising it. Once we deconstruct the elements that define a city or town as smart, there is a high probability that our current living environment aligns with this innovative vision.
The simplest definition of a smart city or town is when technology and data is used to enhance the quality of life of the residents and visitors, but this presents itself in several different ways that everyday people going about their business don’t even realise.
Transport and travel
Public transport is a vital factor in the quality of someone’s life, and as we’ve discussed previously, it’s high on the agenda of those looking to buy or rent a new home. People want to be able to have high quality public transport to either get to and from work, or to use socially. Electronic ticketing, QR scanners on barriers, and free Wi-Fi on trains and buses – all these facilities which have now become something to be expected by consumers are what makes public transport “smart”.
For those that are using their cars and the roads, the availability of EV chargers and technology used in traffic control make a city or town smart. Technology such as sensors and data algorithms are commonly used in traffic management. They monitor congestion throughout the day to identify patterns – have you ever sat at some busy traffic lights and wondered who decides how long the lights stay red for? Well, sensors at those lights and throughout the city or town are constantly monitoring traffic flow to determine exactly how long the red light needs to allow for a steady flow of traffic and to reduce congestion elsewhere.
This technology is also used to identify errors or potential dangers – digital signage on motorways that make you aware of speed restrictions put in place due to an incident or air quality improvement schemes are all uses of this smart technology. During periods of high traffic volume on motorways near residential properties, a speed restriction will be put in place to control the air quality.
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Utilities
One of the more obvious and noticeable ways in which people have adopted smart technology is within their own home. Smart meters for gas and electricity usage, apps for controlling lighting and heating systems within the home, and even home security systems. All of which would not be possible without a stable internet connection and require a high bandwidth so as not to slow down other areas of internet usage, such as streaming and gaming.
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Less obvious ways that enhance an individual’s quality of life, especially in their home, would be in areas such as water supply and waste management. The use of technology has helped utility providers be able to better monitor supply and identify leaks and potential areas that are wasting materials and resources. Overall, this technology has helped to reduce waste or manage waste more sustainably and in a more environmentally friendly way.
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Healthcare
The use of smart technology in healthcare is something that consumers have experienced a lot more of in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pre-pandemic, it was less common for people who needed support from their doctor to communicate with them via online chat facilities or apps. This technology is now more commonplace and has become the first port of call for many before arranging a face-to-face appointment with their GP or healthcare provider.
Education
Smart technology in education is a similar story to healthcare. Pre-pandemic, education mostly occurred in a physical classroom of some form, but now also takes place online. The adoption of online learning and increase in services providing online learning has increased significantly in the last few years, and the ability to access educational materials online, or attend online classes is also part of what makes a city or town a smart one.
The enhancements in this area aren’t only limited to the students – parents have seen an increase in the level of communication they receive digitally from their children’s schools. Accessing their children’s reports or receiving emails from teachers is another area that the education system has become more digital and innovative with smart technologies.
All in all, smart cities and towns aren’t necessarily something of the future, but more a thing of the present, often with those living in them not realising. Many of these use cases are heavily reliant on stable and fast broadband connections – without that, what should be something that enhances our quality of life can become something that massively inhibits it.
Want more fibre broadband insights? Read our blog on the risks and downsides of overbuild.
As Operations Manager, Chloe runs the daily operations of the business, overseeing and streamlining day-to-day operations, implementing efficient processes, ensuring a seamless workflow and optimal productivity.
Chloe has refined her skills having gained experience in a variety of sectors. Chloe has worked for a global financial services group, a private family office encompassing a charitable trust and recording studio, and an event catering company.
In her free time, Chloe can be found practising Pilates and immersing herself in Italian culture, learning the language and visiting new regions.
