Sustainable modes of city
Creating an intelligent human society enables the development of sustainable cities in terms of environmental protection and economic and technological development. Sustainable cities rely on the digital city infrastructure to build intelligent buildings, transport systems, schools, and businesses.
According to the United Nations (UNDESA 2014a), sustainable cities will be a major engine for pursuing Sustainable Development Goals (UN OWG 2015). The content of SDG11 is to “make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable” (UN OWG 2015). Following, seven targets defined to achieve the goal of sustainable development in urbanization (Estevez et. al., 2016):
- By 2030, provide access to all adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and the upgrading of straw.
- Access to safe, affordable and sustainable transport systems for everyone by 2030, improving road safety, in particular by expanding public transport, with particular attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and the elderly.
3. By 2030, improve inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable planning and management of human settlements in all countries. - Strengthen efforts to protect and preserve the world's cultural and natural heritage.
- By 2030, considerably reduce the number of deaths and the number of affected persons and reduce [x]% economic losses in relation to gross domestic product caused by catastrophes, including catastrophes related to water, with a focus on the protection of the poor and people in vulnerable situations .
- By 2030, reduce the harmful effects of cities on the environment, including special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
The transformation of the sustainable Smart City model is viewed with respect to five dimensions: strategic intentions, data, technology, governance and service delivery models, as well as the engagement of citizens and employers. Smart strategies must be explicit, specific, measurable, feasible, realistic, time-dependent and in line with the goals of the Europe 2020 strategy.
Sustainable Smart City solutions include: 1) smart bicycle plans, 2) integrated multi-modal transport, 3) smart traffic system, 4) smart city lighting, 5) intelligent building technologies and management, 6) smart open service platforms, 7) points for government services and 8) local integrated sustainability initiatives.
The fastest-growing urban centers contain about a million inhabitants and are located in countries with lower middle income in Asia and Africa. The megacity of over 20 million inhabitants will see the fastest increase in population - by 2030. Examples of Smart cities services using advanced technologies: integrating a number of innovations including telecommunications, sensors and RFID technologies, smart network technology to enable better production and delivery of energy; intelligent software and services; (Accenture) Singapore, Amsterdam Netherlands Manchester United Kingdom, Helsinki Finland, Neapolis Cyprus. The expected benefits of smart cities are for citizens and the local economy.
Educational materials regarding this topic find here, here and here.
Photo: Blockchain-Cities (source)
Author: Darko Milosevic (LUM University)
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