Smart Cities: the cities of the future?
What does a Smart City offer?
It meets citizens’ needs through technological applications. For example, users can be connected to their homes in such a way that if they leave home without switching off the lighting, the home will switch it off for them. This sounds futuristic, but in practice there are other applications that already exist in these cities. One clear example of these is the open and real-time information portals where citizens can contact the Administration.
The most-used applications are those related to leisure, culture and the environment. For example, many city councils have developed apps with interactive tourist routes that provide citizens with information about their city, as well as contact channels with other people and entities.
The most-used applications are those related to leisure, culture and the environment. For example, many city councils have developed apps with interactive tourist routes that provide citizens with information about their city, as well as contact channels with other people and entities.
Other examples of real intelligent cities
In Europe there are two model cities: Amsterdam and Copenhagen. Both are committed to environmental sustainability, especially through the use of bicycles. In Spain there are examples of smart applications in cities such as Madrid and Barcelona. The latter has an exclusive portal that explains the advantages that Barcelona offers as a Smart City.
What are the building like in a Smart City?
The buildings are totally connected to their tenants by means of home automation and mobile applications. Thanks to this technology, electronic appliances can be programmed to be switched off if they are left on, for example. But not only are they optimized in terms of technology, they also comply with sustainability and energy efficiency requirements. Their facades, windows and energy systems are adapted to the needs of people, care for the environment and provide significant energy savings.