THE APPLICATION of technological solutions along with artificial intelligent (AI) tools can be transformational. The smartcity concept is one example that demonstrates the farreaching impact that the secure application of technological solutions can have. A smart city is an urban development that incorporates information and communication technology and the Internet of Things (IoT) to provide meaningful information that is used to effectively manage resources and assets in a geographical area.

For decades, many countries have seen a steady increase in urban migration. Research suggests that 70 per cent of the world’s population will live in urban areas by 2025. Jamaica, like many other countries worldwide, is struggling to cope with the current rate of migration from rural to urban areas. People move to urban areas for better educational and job opportunities, transportation and quality of life. The adoption of the smart-city concept could support and balance the impact of this migration on urban communities.

SMART-CITIES PILLARS

The objective of the smart-city concept is to improve the quality of life for citizens within a specified geographical space, through the use of smart solutions. The ASEAN Smart Cities Summit and Expo 2020 suggested that the six main pillars of smart cities worldwide are smart citizens, traffic and transportation, environment, economy, government and life.

Smart citizens continuously improve their capacity and qualification in all stages of their life and career. Smart citizens also aim to develop adaptive and flexible skills to respond to the changing demands of society.

Smart traffic and transportation use technology to improve public transportation. The aim is to give citizens faster, cheaper, environmentally friendly transportation and access to real-time travel information. Information pertaining to traffic, such as congestion, available routes, and arrival and departure times, are available within the smart city. Smart transportation aims to reduce traffic congestion, increase transit capacity, and reduce toxic emissions. Self-service bikes, public transportation and carpooling networks, electric vehicles and charging stations are examples of smart transportation. Smart roads equipped with control sensors can monitor traffic patterns and traffic congestion. Additionally, smart technologies can detect possible deterioration of traffic lights, light panels for pedestrians, and other equipment.

A smart environment aims to maintain balance in the ecosystem. Smart environment focuses on managing natural resources and preventing or mitigating the negative impact of economic activities. Desired solutions reduce greenhouse gas emissions, ensure energy and fuel security, and develop renewable resources. Using smart grids and water management systems can conserve energy and water. Constructing smart buildings will promote efficient energy usage. Smart lighting will reduce energy usage by providing the ideal amount of light on demand.

The driving force of the smart economy is innovation and modern technology. It is a new knowledgebased economy that hinges on innovation, entrepreneurship, and high productivity with a flexible labour market.

Smart governance is intelligent management of public services where citizens actively participate in decision making. This aims to find the balance between environmental requirements and social pressure to improve quality of life. Using technology to improve the quality of your decision or support decision making is a part of being smart. For example, better monitoring with CCTV using facial recognition and AI-based technology can reduce crime and improve public safety.

Smart life is the attempt to create a system of high quality and friendly urban spaces. It creates a harmonious environment through a coherent and unified plan. The smart life strives to build a system of local public spaces such as medical, cultural, sports and entertainment facilities. A goal of smart life is to create a safe and friendly space with cleaner air and water and with green areas and parks.

IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES

Experts agree that smart cities aim to bring a better life to citizens. However, implementing a smart city does not mean achieving all the goals at once. Achieving each goal helps the city to move towards the other goals. Technology alone will not make a city smarter. Therefore, offering smart services that meet the needs of stakeholders and continuously improve service quality is a primary goal of a smart city. Prioritising implementation goals will help the process. Implementation can be very costly. Therefore, not many cities worldwide who have implemented this concept have done it all at once.

One drawback in implementing smart cities is the cost, since sensor technology requires sophisticated and costly infrastructure. There are also information security and privacy concerns, as the threat of cyberattacks are a critical issue for smart cities.

LOCAL INITIATIVES

A Jamaica Smart City Forum was held on September 20, 2023. This event was a collaboration between the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), the Tuatara Group, and other stakeholders. Plans for the implementation of the smartcity concept in New Kingston were shared. The gains made by the Tuatara Group project team and challenges and opportunities for the implementations of the smartcity concept were highlighted. The JPS and the National Works Agency (NWA) are quite advanced in the installation and use of smart technology. The JPS is using smart technology to improve service delivery to its customers. The NWA is using artificial intelligence and other technological tools to manage the road network.

These are steps in the right direction which position us to incrementally roll out small parts of the smart-city concept. The main goal of smart cities is to reconcile technological innovation with the economic, social and ecological challenges of the city of tomorrow. Let us use technology to drive development, provide a better quality of life, and grow our economy.