Smart Cities: Sustainable Urban Development through ICT

This text discusses the challenges of supplying basic resources to the growing urban population while ensuring overall economic, social, and environmental sustainability. The traditional concept of cities needs to be transformed into new models that incorporate solutions to prevent the negative impact on the environment and climate change resulting from expansive urban development. The increasing use of digital technologies has led to the development of "smart cities" that harness ICT (Information and communications technology) to solve urban problems. Technology firms such as IBM, Siemens, Cisco, and General Electric have entered the market to offer services to manage cities through ICT. Is there anything else you would like to know?

INTRODUCTION
It is anticipated that 68% of the world population will live in urban areas by
2050, and the real challenge will be to supply these population with basic resources
while also ensuring overall economic, social and environmental sustainability.
According to data and estimates of European Environment Agency - EEA, today
about 75% of the EU population lives in cities, i.e., in urban conglomerates. It is
estimated that this trend will not only not stop in the near future, but on the contrary,
its intensity will increase. According to world statistics, 56.6% of the world population
today lives in cities, which translated into parameters from aspect of resource use is
about 2/3 of the total consumption of energy and generating 3/4 of CO2 emissions.
(statisticstimes.com, n.d.)
Precisely because of these facts, the traditional concept of cities needs to be
transformed into new models, in which as key goals will be incorporated new
solutions to prevent the negative impact on the environment and climate change
resulting from expansive urban development. The results of such detrimental
changes should contribute to reducing the use of resources - mainly energy, water
and municipal waste - both in terms of the amount of funds that are spent on
providing city services, and in terms of reducing CO2 emissions and overall
environmental impact.
The increasing use of digital technologies, embedded in everyday aspects of
life, increased the expectations of citizens that public services should be delivered
digitally in a way that is readily available and citizen-oriented. Cities worldwide have
started to look for solutions which enable elements of sustainable development to be
implemented. Many of the new approaches related to urban services have been
based on harnessing technologies, including ICT (Information and communications
technology) and helping to create what some call “smart cities.”
A contemporary city is perceived as a socio-economic system. It is
characterised by the complexity of many elements and their interrelations that
integrate the city's components so that it can function and develop (Stawasz &
Sikora-Fernandez, 2015)

Development of Smart City
In the early 1990s, computing technologies started to be potentiated
massively with the expansion of the Internet. As a result, in the late 1990s and early
2000s several city governments such as Bangalore in India, San Diego (CA) in the
U.S., Ottawa in Canada, Southampton in the U.K., Brisbane in Australia, and a group
of other cities started to use ICT to solve urban problems (Hollands, 2008). In the
same vein, IBM improved and exploited its knowledge and experience in computing
technologies and the Internet, and in 2008 it was the pioneer in launching a multi-
million-dollar “Smarter Cities” marketing initiative. Today, IBM centres its strategy on
selling cities metered services delivered over a global cloud-computing infrastructure
(Peirce, Freed and Townsend, n.d.). Technology giants like Siemens, Cisco, and
General Electric soon entered the market to compete with IBM by offering similar
services to manage cities through ICT, which in turn facilitated the development of
the top-down smart city model. In 2010, Cisco launched the Connected Urban
Development program. This involved working with the cities of San Francisco,
Amsterdam, and Seoul on pilot projects to prove the technology’s potential. In the
same year, Cisco also launched its Smart and Connected Communities division in
order to commercialize the products and services that it has developed during the
program. As a result, since 2008-10 technology firms, have repurposed existing
technologies – sensor networks, communications networks, automation systems,
and business data analytics – and launched pilot projects to demonstrate how they
could be used to modernize existing infrastructure and be integrated into future
designs (Peirce, Freed and Townsend, n.d.)
The concept of Smart City
"Smart city" is a concept that uses innovative systems for integrated
management and connection of different domains of urban living. The concept
includes the collection and analysis of electronic data in order to secure information
necessary for the efficient use of the means and resources of the city. According to
Bakici et al. (2012), smart city is a high-tech intensive and advanced city that
connects people, information and city elements using new technologies in order to
create a sustainable, greener city, competitive and innovation commerce, and an
increased life quality.
This includes data collected from citizens and from various devices and
platforms that are further processed and analysed for monitoring and management
of traffic and other transport systems, power plants, water supply networks, cooling
management, law enforcement, information systems, schools, libraries, hospitals
and other public institutions. This "smart" concept based on the digitalization of the
urban structure integrates information and communication technology (ICT) and
networked physical devices - Internet of Things (IoT). The purpose of this concept is
to optimize the city functions and services whose ultimate goal is connecting city
segments in a synergistic, functional city structure.
The three main goals that the smart city is striving for are the following:
А. Improving the efficiency of the city as a system
The "Smart City" initiatives imply the efficiency of the existing and new
infrastructure through:

- Connecting the various infrastructure components offered services and the
people who work with them.
- Reducing costs in the long run as a result of monitoring and information
exchange.
B. Achieving sustainable and resilient development
Although related to efficiency, sustainability has a wider range. The
consensual definition of sustainable development is "development that satisfies the
needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet
their needs."
C. Increasing the quality of life of citizens
Increasing the quality of life of citizens is a key goal of the smart city. When it
comes to the city, we should never forget that the final outcome of the city itself are
its inhabitants.
Domains (dimensions) of smart cities
The six main city dimensions according to the relevant literature represent the
specific aspects of the city that are influenced by Smart initiatives to achieve the
expected goals of the strategy Smart City (sustainability, efficiency and high quality
of life). Technology itself is not considered a field of action, but an enabler that
improves the efficiency of projects. A project is considered "smarter" when it involves
a larger number of dimensions. The approach should be as integrated and holistic as
possible.
The smart city concept assumes that a city should be a creative, sustainable
area that improves the quality of life, creates a friendlier environment and the
prospects of economic development are stronger (Lee et al., 2014). The ultimate
goal is a better use of public resources, the improvement of the quality of services
offered to citizens, while reducing operational costs of public administration (Zanella
et al., 2014). It is understood that cities can be defined as smart if they have the
following elements:
Figure 1:
Related aspect of urban life
Industry Education E-democracy Logistics & Efficiency & Security &
Infrastructure Sustainability Quality
Characteristics / Dimension
Smart Economy Smart People Smart Governance Smart Mobility Smart Environment Smart Living
Source: Lombardi et al. (2012)
Smart economy
The smart economy implies a strategic distribution of available funds in order to
develop alternative business models that would provide competitiveness of the city

itself, attractiveness for investments and creating new and creative jobs. Hence the
establishment of a sustainable, innovative and talented economy are the main goals
of the smart economic model, which will provide an increased standard of living and
encourage, especially young people, to have a prosperous life in their hometown.
Smart people
The smart city needs civic participation for the successful outcomes of future
initiatives. It is necessary to have citizens who can wisely participate in smart urban
life and adapt to new solutions that provide creative solutions, innovation and
diversity for their communities. Education and training programs for the development
of digital skills citizens (of all ages) are the main tool for improving this dimension as
well as initiatives that should encourage creativity and social and ethical pluralism.
Smart governance
The smart government uses the available technology to be aware of and coordinate
with the activities implemented by the municipalities, to achieve synergy through
cooperation with other stakeholders and to meet the needs of the citizens in order to
improve the public services and the trust in the public institutions.
Smart governance focuses on improving democratic processes and should
encourage citizens to participate in decision-making, which will provide more
channels of communication and contacts in order to reach as many citizens as
possible.
Smart mobility
Smart mobility means developing solutions that enable the city to adapt to all traffic
conditions. The key features of smart mobility are scalability, economy and energy
sustainability.
In achieving the goals for smart mobility, except infrastructure solutions, large
infrastructure investments are not always necessary, but smart views on the
perception of mobility, known as green transport. Car-sharing models (renting a
vehicle per hour or day), "ride-sharing" means of transport by several persons from
the same household or different persons and use of alternative means of transport
(e.g., bicycles, electric mopeds, scooters, etc.) are important factors in the urban
mobility that does not require large investments, but can contribute significantly to
the positive effect of reducing traffic congestion, pollution of air and quality of urban
life.
Smart environment
The smart environment uses data collection from utilities networks, users, air, water
and other urban resources in order to establish the main areas of action in urban
planning and city infrastructure planning, as well as to inform urban service
managers to achieve a more efficient and sustainable urban environment, and at the
same time to improve the quality of life of citizens.
Smart living
"Smart living”, although it primarily refers to health culture and quality of health of all
age groups, generally refers to increasing the quality of life in others areas:
education, housing, security, social inclusion, culture, sports and recreation,
sustainable tourism, etc.
The "smart city" is an integrated system in which human and social capital,

natural and economic resources are taken into account, and solutions based on ICT
and other advanced technologies are used. The goal is to effectively achieve
sustainable and resilient development and high quality of life of the citizens. In the
concept of a smart city, urban challenges are addressed based on a multi-
stakeholder model (citizens, public institutions, business sector, non-governmental
sector, etc.) in partnership with the municipality. This definition lays a solid
foundation for the city and the goals to be reached, defining the tools and main
participants involved in the concept of Smart City.
Smart City – Singapore
Stages of implementation
There are several models of smart cities depending on the priorities and the
approach they apply. Some cities in the world, for example Singapore, are highly
developed smart cities as a result of the adopted principles of digital transformation,
in order to achieve long-term sustainable development.
Singapore is one of the world's major commercial hubs, with one of the
busiest ports and the fourth-biggest financial centre. Singapore’s total population
was 5.45 million as of January 2021 (Singapore Department of Statistics (DOS,
2019)).
In 2014, Singapore launched a landmark Smart Nation program through
which it is gathering unprecedented amounts of data about all aspects of city life. It
has the vision of transforming Singapore by building the World's first Smart Nation by
harnessing technology to the fullest with the aim of improving the lives of citizen,
creating more opportunities, and building stronger communities. According to the
Smart Cities Index Report 2017 prepared by EasyPark group listed Singapore at
rank 2 in the world and supported by power engineering website that named
Singapore as world best Smart Cities in 2018.
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) acts to develop
information technology and telecommunications within Singapore with a view to
serve citizen of all ages and companies of all sizes (Infocomm Media Development
Authority, n.d.).
The milestones of Singapore’s Smart Nation are:
 2014 effort to transform Singapore into a Smart Nation.
 2015 ChallengeTM launched by the Health Promotion Board.
 2016 The Government Technology Agency was formed.
 2016 “Smart HDB Town Framework” announced.
 2016 The “Singapore Payments Roadmap” was published.
 2017 The Smart Nation & Digital Government Office (SNDGO) was formed.
 2017 The strategic Health IT Master Plan (HITMAP) announced.
 2017 The key Strategic National Projects for the adoption of digital and smart
technologies announced.
 2019 Artificial Intelligence (AI) plan outlined in the National AI Strategy
document that was unveiled at the SFF X SWITCH (Singapore FinTech
Festival and Singapore Week of Innovation and TeCHnology) Conference.
 2020 The Singapore Financial Data Exchange (SGFinDex) launched.
Participants

The transformation of Singapore was based on the following initiatives: the
Society, Economy, and Government through the Digital Readiness Blueprint, Digital
Economy Framework for Action and Digital Government Blueprint. The Government
identified 2 principles, 3 stakeholders and 6 strategic projects. (Default, n.d.)
Digital society
Inclusion as part of the digital society includes citizens to get interconnected
using technology, as part of a Digital Society. This happens with the Digital
Readiness Blueprint by:
 Technology to be more accessible to all citizens
 Enhancing digital literacy among citizens
 Promoting the adoption of technology to the community and businesses
 Designing inclusive digital services
Digital economy
Digital economy is based on the digitalisation of processes and the business
growth, utilising the benefits from the latest technology. Improving the digital
economy new investments are attracted and thus the creation of new job
opportunities for citizens. The Digital Economy Framework for Action outlines three
key strategies:
 Digitalising industries and businesses to accelerate the economic growth
 Create an ecosystem where businesses are competitive
 The key growth driver to be the Infocomm Media industry, of the Digital
Economy
Digital Government
With the digitalisation of the Governmental entities the aim is provide to
citizens policies and services that are inclusive and effective. Moreover, the constant
training and education of the public servants is essential in order to be able to remain
helpful and support to those engaged with the digital government platforms (Default,
n.d.).
Interrelations between participants
The Singapore Government has become “a digital-to-the-core Government
that serves with heart.”
Digital government serves:
 Citizens
 Businesses
 Public Officers
The elements of digital government include:
 Services that are easy to use
 Seamless digital transactions
 Systems and data that are secure
 Services that are reliable and relevant
 A digitally confident public service workforce
 A digitally enabled public service workplace

Key activities for becoming a digital government include:
 Integrating services around citizen and business needs
 Strengthening integration between policy, operations and technology
 Operating reliable, resilient and secure systems
 Co-creating with citizens and businesses, and facilitating adoption of
technology
 Raising our digital capabilities to pursue innovation
 Building common digital and data platforms (Default, n.d.).
Global Benefits
1. Strengthening Singapore’s connectivity with the world
Singapore is logistics hub with airport and port connected to the world.
Singapore invests in digital infrastructure and programmes to deepen the physical
connectivity. Singapore also participates in the APEC Cross-Border Privacy Rules
(CBPR) and Privacy Recognition for Processors (PRP) Systems. The APEC
CBPR/PRP Systems reduces the challenge of organisations having to comply with
multiple systems of domestic laws when they operate in multiple APEC Economies
2. Sharing best practices and exchange of ideas
Singapore is active player in regional and international technology
conferences promoting discussions, and scholarship around technology regulation
and norms.
3. Building long-term relationships to address shared challenges
Singapore with its Sustainable Development Goals and cyber defense
continues to strengthen the relationship with regional and international partners to
work closely on global challenges as the technology evolves (Digital Government
Office (DGO), 2020), (Lee et al.2016).
Benefits for participants
1. Business Initiatives
Businesses have the opportunity to grow in Singapore’s Digital Economy due
to the competitive advantages based on excellent infrastructure and access to
technology. Business initiatives that are helping companies staying competitive are:
 GoBusiness – is a platform for businesses to access government e-services
and resources.
 Corppass – is a secure, convenient way for businesses to transact with the
government’s online services
 Data Innovation Programme Office – shares data to encourage innovation
among private sector organizations.
 FinTech Sandbox is a Smart Financial Centre - is a space for companies to
test out their FinTech-related innovation.
2. Digital Government Services
The tech-enabled solutions for inclusion for citizens to live, work, interact and
transact better with each other and the Government, include among the rest:
 LifeSG: provide access to government services, latest news and updates,
track applications etc.

3. Smart Initiatives to improve Healthcare
Healthcare needs are priority in Singapore. Currently the health initiatives
provide different tools to the citizens to take control of their healthcare needs. These
are some of the Smart Nation health initiatives such as:
 HealthHub - a health portal providing access to medical records and health
tips, articles and news.
 TeleHealth provides medical care with online medical consultations to patients
and healthcare providers.
4. Smart Urban Living
This includes using Innovative solutions for greener and more sustainable
homes and estates. The initiatives below outline this initiative:
 Automated Meter Reading. An app, that manages citizens water consumption
and bills.
 Dengue Hotspots Survey Drones, using drones to identify viral infections
outbreaks (Default, n.d.), (Kim ,2021).
Achievements and Future Plans
From 2018 to 2020, the city’s push towards deeper and more extensive
digitalisation has led to four key changes in the Digital Government Blueprint:
1. Going deeper into what “digital to the core” and “serves with a heart” mean
Greater efforts will be made to use digitalisation to create policies that are
more personalised, and which can be easily adjusted in response to user behaviour.
This will allow the Government to respond to citizens’ needs more effectively, and it
has already begun with new digital platforms such as LifeSG.
2. Putting the citizen’s needs first
The blueprint’s strategies have been updated to place more emphasis on
users’ needs, to improve how the city works, lives and plays as it harnesses new
technologies such as AI.
3. Setting targets to meet near-term future
 New KPI: At least 70% of eligible Government systems to be on commercial
cloud by 2023
 Update of an existing KPI: Time required to combine and share data for cross-
agency projects to be no more than seven working days
4. Setting a future direction in light of COVID-19
The pandemic has given renewed impetus for government agencies to
digitalise, including making deeper changes in organisational policy, structure and
culture.
The authorities have also set the targets for 2023 and beyond:
 70% of eligible Government systems to be hosted on the commercial cloud
 All public officers to have basic digital literacy skills
 All ministry families to have at least 1 AI project for service delivery or
policymaking

 At least 10 cross-agency high-impact data analytics projects to be completed
per year
 No more than 7 working days to share data for cross-agency projects.
CONCLUSION
As a result of the accelerated social and technological development we are
witnessing constantly establishing more complex systems, processes and
relationships with what they are increase the demands and responsibilities for the
levels of governance in society, economy and public administration.
For a quality and structured approach to the development of the strategy for a
smart city, it is first necessary to determine the vision of the city in the context of the
use of digital technologies. Only after the vision is determined can we qualitatively
express and define strategic goals and thus - through joint action of all stakeholders -
strive to achieve set goals.
The vision for a Smart City is closely related to the possibility of using ICT and
other technologies and innovations for the benefit of improving the quality of life of
citizens and smart management of the city's resources.
Smart cities are anthropocentric (human-sized), enable efficient use of natural
resources, sustainable economic development, support innovation and research,
and ensure a high quality of life and access to public services for all citizens. Also,
smart cities integrate all functions of public services such as public lighting, traffic or
energy supply and thus increase their efficiency, reduce energy costs, speed up
communication between the mentioned subsystems, significantly reduce emissions
of greenhouses establish efficient management of urban mobility and infrastructure
and ensure an optimal level of public safety.
“Citizens in the centre. Businesses as a partner. Technology as an enabler.”

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