SMART CITY IS A SMART MOVE

By Saima Zeb
Environment Correspondent, SAM Daily Times

Smart city is a conceptual framework that enables a city or region, to be interconnected, in an intelligent way, to address social, economic, climatic and pollution issues through the infrastructure in terms of its structure, how it is managed, the relationships between its different components and how companies, organisations and the public interface with it.  Key relevant components in the infrastructure include power, transportation, water, telecommunications, healthcare and the internet.  It allows more efficient use of resources by bringing together government, industry, organisations and individuals to pool resources for the common good.

The recent interest in the smart city concept is partly because of demographic developments, the strains of modern life and technology.  The world has become more urbanized, with over 80 percent of population living in towns and cities in the UK.  Consumption and production trends are putting strains on finite resources, increasing pollution to unsustainable levels and causing significant changes in the climate.  Cities need to try to adopt a more self sustaining model that can use resources more efficiently as well increasing the quality of life thereby making them more attractive for current and new residents and investors.   The smart city concept is largely a result of the huge gains in computing.


Obviously like all new developments there are downsides.  The huge amounts of data involved could have legal (data protection) implications. There have been detractors who decry the 1984/big brother type scenario.  There are issues about collusion between private companies, a move away from competition.  These issues must be addressed.  Firstly, it should be noted that there are already databases holding trillions of information . Adequate controls must be put in place to ensure that data on individuals, companies and organisations are properly safeguarded.   Much of the type of information that will be used by participating companies and organisations are aggregates, that is, they do not pinpoint individuals.  Collaboration between private operators need not kill off competition because they can still compete and maintain their brands.  Notable examples are the Oyster project in London and ticket sharing among bus operators in Oxford where operators are collaborating to provide improved transportation services but still remain separate entities.


The smart strategy unit must decide on the appropriate technology and technological partner that it will engage.  A project management approach must be adopted, involving a comprehensive action plan, augmented by logs to account for issues, risks and changes that will affect that plan.  The project must make full use of the marketing mix, namely, product, price, competition and advertising and promotion.  This will highlight tangible benefits by clearly specifying products such as transportation, air quality, utilities and, price incentives like reduced congestion, more parking spaces, lower electricity and water bills and improved air quality. The project will highlight the competition such as other cities that are embracing the concept and becoming more attractive.

Distribution outlets will include libraries, schools, universities, hospitals, surgeries, community centres, companies, councils, organisations and the internet. It must be promoted and advertised, making maximum use of print, broadcast and digital media.

Oxford becoming a smart city is a smart move. Action needs to be taken now and if it is done right, namely involving the whole city, it will be a win-win situation for all stakeholders.  The city and county councils must, working together, make a move now to tap into funds from the UK government and the European Union to benefit from technological innovations that will improve the quality of life of its residents and attract new residents, investments and technology.  Oxford is in a position to trail blaze this concept and become a centre of excellence for the management and technology that will evolve from the project.