According to the consultancy Delloite, cities occupy about 3% of the planet's territory – but they are vitally important because, alone, they account for about 80% of energy consumption and approximately 75% of global waste consumption and carbon emissions.
The data also indicate that urban centers tend to gain even more space, since the world population living in cities is expected to jump from the current 55% to 68% by 2050.
For the World Resources Institute (WRI), smart cities should adopt technologies in a systemic and multisectoral vision, to the benefit of sustainable urban development.
The European Union (EU) pointed out that a "smart city is a place where traditional networks and services become more efficient with the use of digital solutions for the benefit of its inhabitants and businesses."
The transformation of smart cities, according to the EU, should include, among other initiatives:
- the adoption of smarter urban transport networks
- upgraded water supply facilities
- waste disposal
- more efficient ways to light and heat and cool buildings and buildings
- have a more interactive and responsive municipal administration
- safer public spaces
Optimizing energy use and tracking the carbon footprint, as well as monitoring water and energy demand can lead to important reductions, according to Earth Org. In this respect, the reduction of 10% to 15% of greenhouse gas emissions per person, in addition to the lower generation of solid waste per year – between 30 and 130 kg less, are on top of positive demands.
A recent IEA study, titled Empowering Cities for a Net Zero Future, condenses the assessment of more than 125 experts, who evaluated 100 cities in more than 40 countries. According to the document, smart cities can adopt initiatives ranging from the use of smart street lamps to buildings with automatic cooling, to smart electric car chargers.
What else would you include in the list of initiatives to be adopted in Smart Cities?
Comments