Attributes and Sustainability of a Smart City

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Smart cities are urban areas that use different types of electronic devices, internet of
things (IoT), sensors and they have incorporated information and communication technologies to
collect data and analyze their information in order to enhance and improve their service delivery
in areas such as energy, transportation sector, and utilities. In order to minimize resource
consumption, wastage and the overall cost. (Fang and Yu, 2017, pg.126). Their main objective is
to provide basic infrastructure, give a decent life to its citizens, provide a clean environment,
good health care, waste management crime detection, and clean water through the application of
smart solutions.
Most urban areas are generating different opportunities to develop smarter cities, safer
and greener communities and boost the economy of its citizens. This is achieved through the
attraction of new businesses leading to the creation of new jobs. (Jabareen, 2016, pg.38).They
use mobile data networks and internet of things technology and other innovative applications that
are developed to provide safety, increase production and provide better and efficient services to
its citizens.
Technology that is implemented in smart cities improve sustainability to its citizens
through the services provided. In the transport sector, the technology implemented in the smart
city will not only provide you with a parking space, or a taxi for hire but will do more than that
(Jabareen, 2016, pg.38). In Florida rail transport which has implemented the use of modern tech
is able to provide environmentally friendly railway that improved transport in all its areas.
During its leverage smart data is able to reduce vibrations, noise, monitors resources
consumption, reduces fuel consumptions it’s also able to identify the impact of rail transport on

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air, water and the people affected. The city is also able to monitor how rail has affected transport
and commute times.
Attributes of a smart city
A combination of both the economic growth, society needs and human aspiration are
what mainly attributes to smart city culture, through the establishment of smart city
programs and projects .this programs have led to the establishment of smart city
attributes which includes.
 Use of Information, communication and technology: this has enabled public
services to use integrated and efficient technology that is easily accessible, this
has greatly improved transparency, speed and provision of public services.
 More efficient public services: smart cities have integrated use of smart meters,
renewable energy to control pollution, efficient water harvesting methods,
efficient recycling and use of proper waste management methods, are distinctive
features of a smart city.
 Public-private partnership: this provides an avenue for the much-needed capital in
the running of the smart cities, but this partnership also provides efficient ways of
delivery of services and utilities with much needed service-level standards.
(Bertens 2003, pg. pg.23)
 Security and safety is important in public places and an important aspect in public
consciousness, this may be achieved by use of good networks of video cameras,
lighting of the public places intensive patrols and surveillance, use of identity-

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verified access, and quick response in case of an emergency are all attributes of a
smart city (Coaffee et.al 2009, pg. 489).
 Financial independence: financial sustainability will only be achieved when there
are elaborate and extensive methods of tapping of all sources of a revenue
example use of proper taxation methods, ads payments and other means of getting
finance to run this city (Bertens 2003, pg. pg.23).
 Participation of all the citizens: local government should include the citizens in
local issues example current apathy towards eviction election needs
comprehensive reversals and proper understanding of the local citizens.
 Availability of social infrastructure: smart cities cannot develop in the absence of
sufficient social infrastructures examples schools, hospitals, public places,
entertainment joints and retail places (Catungal 2009, pg. 1095)
 Good transit planning: the dream of a smart city is walk to work but the
availability of footpaths, bicycle paths and a good public transport network may
reduce in use of personal vehicles (Bertens 2003, pg. pg.23).
 Green environment: green cities should minimize carbon pollution in the
environment, use eco-friendly materials, use of renewable energy, environmental
conservation and recycling of wastes are mandatory (Garrett 2016, pg. 1948).
 Population estimates: population estimation is very critical and having population
estimates and size is important in provision and planning of services example the
energy needs and traffic control among others (Bertens 2003, pg. pg.23).

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(Fig; attributes of a smart city) (Iveson 2013, pg. 941)
When a city is not smart and sustainable it experiences infrastructure growth but due to
poor connectivity it faces the following challenges, more traffic jams, missed means of transport
example trains, buses, lack of proper coordination in times of disaster, shortage of resources
(water, electricity, and food) over duplication of resources, adverse effect on environment, and
lack of modes of communication. (McFarlane and Söderström 2017, pg.312)
There are other challenges that are faced by smart cities, the impact of climate change,
rural-urban migration, limited resources and environmental degradation. Use of technology and
connectivity is the key to turn a city into a smart city, the used technology should be sustainable,
resilient, affordable and available to its citizens. (McFarlane and Söderström 2017, pg.312)
Use of technology helps in the provision of smart services which in turn saves time and
makes life easier. The government also uses technology to communicate and get feedback from
its citizens on how they want their city to be run (Cochran, and Brunsell 2017, pg.372), the
government also gathers intelligence concerning the city and through intelligence and smart

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operations, the city becomes safer. There are various technologies that are used in smart cities
which includes; information and communication technology, internet of things, sensors,
geospatial technology, artificial intelligence, the block chain.
Information and communication technology.
Communication is very vital in the city to be considered a smart city, communication
channel should be a two -way communication. Information and communication technology
(ICT) acts as a medium of communication where the government communicates its plans to its
citizens and in return, the citizens can share their views on how they want their city to be
governed. Through ICT the government is able to identify and analyze the needs of its citizens
thus providing resources to address these issues online. (McFarlane and Söderström 2017,
pg.312)
ICT as a medium of communication can help the government in the collection of
intelligence which later is used to poll resources through analytical and deep learning of the
collected information. Smart city ICT infrastructure includes a software application, network
infrastructure (Cochran, and Brunsell 2017, pg.372), cloud computing, data platforms and access
devices. Other communication-related applications are, building management, smart grids,
physical safety and security, emergency response, good traffic and transport systems.
Opportunities and challenges of information and communication technology in smart
Cities. ICT has various uses in the running of a smart city which includes;