What is a smart city?

As the word gets thrown around increasingly often, people are starting to wonder what a smart city actually is. One thing is for sure, smart cities are more than a just a fancy new term. Running a city can be made much easier, more efficient and cost effective when digital technology is properly utilized. That is what the smart city is all about. Many cities have ambitions when it comes to this, but few have already decided on the way they want to give shape and form to those ambitions. In this article we will dive into the aspects of a smart city and provide some examples when these principles are done right, so be sure to read on! 

Defining the smart city 

To dive a little deeper into the principles of a smart city, it is a good idea to define what a smart city actually is. As touched on in the previous paragraph, smart cities are all about using technology. This is done by attempting to re-develop areas of the city, or the entire city, using information and communication technology (ICT) to increase performance and quality parameters of different urban services. These can be things like energy, utility, transportation and many other things we are used to having in our cities, all the way down to the waste management system.  

Internet of Things and smart cities go hand in hand 

An important part of the technological advancements that have made smart cities an option is the rise of the Internet of Things. This is because we call things smart when they are connected to the internet. Think about smart watches for instance. Currently it is possible to connect virtually anything to the internet. Including traffic lights and other lifeless objects. Doing so allows us to communicate with these objects, gather data through them and control them from a distance. This is what we call the Internet of Things, the main driver behind the smart city ideology. The connectivity through the internet is what allows us to reconsider processes within cities and discover new ways to live.  

Examples of smart city solutions 

By now you are probably wondering what all of this actually looks like. There are quite a few examples of this already, so we will touch on a few of them to give you a rough idea!  

#1 Parking spots 

As cities and their populations grow, it becomes increasingly difficult to find a parking spot where you need them the most. This results in an endless circle of driving around and frustration, none of which are pleasant for you. With connected parking meters and a system, an app for example, you could get directions to the nearest free parking spot in an instant. Save you both the extra miles and the frustration. How cool is that? 

#2 Public transport 

As most city councils try to find new ways to reduce emissions and still allow their citizens to travel easily and freely within the city, the public transport system is key to a high functioning smart city. But, how are the smart objects and new technologies used to make this any better? Well, the data that is collected can be expanded upon to find insights on citizen behavior and peak pressure on the transport system. This way, improving the entire system becomes much easier! 

#3 Trash bins 

Unfortunately, more people usually means more trash. As trash cans fill up very quickly in certain spots, people tend to throw their litter on the ground. To prevent the city from filling up with litter and polluting the environment, smart bins can be used. These let the waste disposal service know when they are full, so they can be placed on the route for the emptying service. This way, litter can be reduced while the waste system functions more efficiently as well! 

Mr. Fill bins are perfect for any smart city! 

At Mr. Fill, we have created the best smart bins for any smart city. Are you curious to find out more about the possibilities our bins offer? Don’t hesitate to send us a message. We will gladly tell you all about it! 

Leave a Comment