Smart cities have now become more than a term; it is a concept has evolved into a multi-billion-euro market, accompanied by a regulatory battlefield. The end result: technology now has an additional, social dimension that fosters the contact between citizens and government.
In this dynamic view of smart cities, the term has come to be defined as “a place where traditional networks and services are made more efficient with the use of digital and telecommunication technologies for the benefit of its inhabitants and business,” according to the European Commission.
These are in effect cities that incorporate the Internet of Things (IoT) and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) into their digital strategy, where citizens are invited to experience the transformation of the urban environment. Their city will be a more efficient city in every way. Barcelona and Amsterdam are two of the leading European examples that give priority to “smart” urban growth, responding to challenges, and implementing a green policy that has spurred the development of local innovation clusters that include start-ups, research institutions and service providers concentrated in specific geographic areas.
Full article available: https://www.neweurope.eu/article/are-smart-cities-the-solution-to-urban-problems/