The Construction Users Roundtable (CURT) published this article written by Level-1 CEO Thomas D. McElroy that discusses the creation of “Smart Cities” and the trends that will most likely lead to the creation of more such “smart cities” in the future.
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The term “smart city” has been used for years, especially by visionaries talking about the potential for smart cities to reimagine everything from health concerns to city utility allocation. While smart cities are no longer a vision for the future – they’re already here – many people still have only a passing familiarity with the smart city concept.
Yes, smart cities are here, and they are growing rapidly. In many of these cities, municipal governments can leverage internet access and wireless technologies to improve infrastructure, efficiency, convenience, and quality of life across their communities. They can connect many city sectors – such as public transportation, utilities, and parks and recreation – with technologies that benefit citizens. In addition, the data collected is then used by governmental leaders to further enhance services and improve quality of life.
However, while the concept of smart cities has gained tremendous traction, many city officials find that they lack adequate infrastructure to fully realize the potential of a smart city. None of these technologies can be leveraged without the superior connectivity required to maintain a plethora of devices and sensors.