5 strategic shifts that are making cities smarter: report

Source: Smart Cities Dive Author: Katie Pyzyk Published: October 11, 2019

Dive Brief:

• As cities embrace new technologies and approaches to combat challenges, a new white paper from ABI Research, 5 Ways Cities Are Getting Smarter, examines the top strategy shifts that are currently making cities more advanced and efficient.

• The paper identifies five main strategy shifts:

  • Digital twins — 3D urban modeling and generative design is transforming city planning and creating entire digital twins cities, and artificial intelligence (AI) tools hold even more promise.

  • Resilient cities — Cities are shifting their focus from "safe and secure" to "resilient" in the use of technology to protect citizens from natural and human-made threats.

  • Circular cities — Sustainability has been a key element of creating smart cities and aiming for a circular city advances the concept even further.

  • Micromobility — Cities are embracing electric, two-wheeled micromobility devices (bikes and scooters) to reduce congestion and air pollution.

  • Smart spaces — Cities are rethinking the urban built environment and how technology can be integrated into public spaces for widespread benefits.

• The paper presents challenges and case studies for the five key strategies. It concludes that "[b]older, more holistic, cross-vertical and closed-loop approaches are required to optimize and maximize the potential of available resources and services."