Any city capable of using information and communication technologies to create efficiency, sustainability, and improve the quality of its citizens can be described as a smart city. However, smart cities are still a fairly young concept and the definition of what constitutes a smart city is still evolving. Current global population trends point to a gradual shift in the residence of the human population from rural to urban areas, which makes smart cities all the more important.
At the moment, more than 50 percent of the global population lives in cities. The global urban population is projected to rise to nearly 70 percent over the next few decades. A growing urban population creates issues such as congestion, high energy consumption, waste disposal problems, food scarcity, and inequality. Smart city technology will be pivotal in managing these and other challenges as our cities swell.
Here are some global smart city trends and their respective benefits.
Big Data
One of the biggest trends in smart city technology is leveraging big data to improve the quality of life in cities. Advancements in big data and technologies such as IoT (Internet of Things) has allowed city authorities access to vast amounts of information. IoT and big data facilitate data-driven decision-making in energy and resource management which, in turn, cuts costs and improves service delivery to city residents.
Smart Buildings
High energy consumption is one of the challenges caused by growing urban populations. Smart cities are making an effort to reduce their carbon footprint through smart buildings. Smart buildings use renewable energy resources, air-quality sensors, and energy-efficient buildings to reduce adverse effects on the environment. Some smart buildings can even generate their own electricity to save resources and help sustainability.
Smart Transportation
Cities around the world are increasingly implementing smart transportation networks to solve the problem of traffic congestion and provide efficient transportation services. More congestion in our cities leads to more pollution. Reducing traffic congestion saves time, reduces energy consumption, and results in cleaner air. A smart transportation system also comes with great economic benefits.
Cutting-edge technological innovations make smart cities more efficient, more effective, and are necessary given these projections.
Connectivity
Smart cities are digitally connected through city-wide Wi-Fi connections, wireless CCTV cameras, etc. These technologies create a positive impact on the life of residents across the board. Cities can strategically place public Wi-Fi hotspots throughout the city to provide reliable internet service to all city residents and increase digital equity. CCTV cameras make our cities safer by making it easier to catch criminals.
Privacy Concerns in Smart Cities
The major area of concern with smart city technology is the massive data collection and its implication on the privacy of city residents. Smart cities rely on massive data collection and analysis. The data collected by smart cities poses certain privacy risks to the resident. There’s always the possibility of misuse. Many have expressed concerns about the potential of smart city technology in mass surveillance and a gradual transition to a surveillance state. So, what can be done to protect the citizens’ right to privacy?
The Future of Smart Cities
The more connected a city is, the greater the risk to the residents’ individual privacy. In addition to surveillance, there are other issues surrounding smart cities and their data collection practices. Personal data is a valuable resource in the information economy. The data harvested by city authorities as well as private companies enlisted to implement smart city projects could be stolen. Vast amounts of detailed information are particularly appealing for hackers.
The fact that this information is centralized and connected to the internet makes it even more susceptible to attacks. Often, data collected by cities contains enough information for hackers to steal their identity or execute scams. Cities should ensure that data collected is adequately secured by ensuring proper controls from the outset. Private companies handling the data should also strive to make sure that data is anonymized where possible.
What Can You Do to Improve Privacy?
There are certain steps city residents can take to protect their data at an individual level. For instance, make sure you know the best cybersecurity hygiene practices, such as using a VPN when connected to public Wi-Fi networks in the city.
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a service designed to help you establish a secure internet connection and maintain internet privacy. It encrypts your internet traffic and hides it from your ISP and the government. If you are concerned about privacy, simply download a VPN to ensure security when you connect to city Wi-Fi hotspots.
Final Thoughts
The global urban population is on the rise. Smart city development projects are harnessing the power of information and communication technology to manage the difficulties of swelling cities. Smart city technology can improve the quality of life of city residents in a myriad of ways. However, there are legitimate concerns that the vast amounts of data collected by smart cities heighten the risk to individual privacy. Fortunately, certain precautions can be taken at both individual and city levels to guarantee privacy.
Source: https://www.theburnin.com/technology/smart-cities-implications-on-privacy-2020-12-04/