There was a time when the word ‘SMART’ was used solely for humans—only exception were blondes. But things have taken a dramatic turn. Now everything—mostly inanimate objects—from mobile phones and electronic gadgets to home appliances and personal cards can be described as smart. The latest addition to this list is ‘Cities.’
A broader concept of a ‘Smart City’ is that it makes better use of Information and Communications Technology. A more comprehensive concept is that a ‘Smart City’ aims to improve city operations and quality of life for the citizens by employing an integrated approach. Giving a boost to the economy by creating new opportunities and expanding the facilities also constitute ‘Smart City’ features. These two concepts together define the true sense of a smart city. Andrea Caragliu, a google researcher affiliated with Polytechnic University of Milan has this to add to give a clear picture of a smart city: “Investments in human and social capital and traditional and modern ICT infrastructures fuel sustainable economic development and a high quality of life, with a wise management of natural resources, through participatory action and engagement” (Caragliu et al. 2009)
Smart cities are characterized by extensive use of information and communication technology—commonly referred to as ‘digital technologies’. They are meant to improve the quality of life by enhancing civic services and making them available more easily at lower costs. The technologies are also geared towards engaging the people to work together with the urban administration for improving the facilities. Various sectors such as transport, power, healthcare, water, sewerage management and government services, are involved in developing a smart city.
THE THREE PILLARS
In recent times, every city is vying to become a ‘smart city.’ Most people relate it with technology. Although technology is at the heart of such a scheme and an indispensable component, that alone does not fully describe the picture. In a smart city, digital technology is embedded in the city systems and drives everything—from communication networks to city services. The ultimate aim is to improve quality of life for city dwellers through optimizing energy usage, traffic management and efficient city services.
Erroneous beliefs might pervade among the masses, but researchers on the subject seem to agree that three pillars are at the base of ‘smart cities.’ Human capital, infrastructure and information. First, human capital is all about involving the stakeholders in decision making processes. Second, infrastructure needs technology to carry out activities and provide services to the citizens. Third, the flow of information should ensure that it is open, transparent and reachable so that all the stakeholders have a sense of participation which is imperative in making a city smart.
EXPERTS SPEAK
Former mayor of Eindhoven, Rob van Gijzel, is extremely passionate about cities and city development. His work focuses on cooperation between various government entities, businesses and knowledge institutions. From an early stage of his career, he was interested in ‘cooperation within cities.’ When he was elected as mayor of Eindhoven and, later, acted as city renewal coordinator of Amsterdam, he got the opportunity to apply his knowledge and theories to bring about a positive change.
Gijzel believes that a smart city is all about intelligent communities. He likes to define the concept in terms of the whole texture of society rather than the cities themselves. It is all about cooperation between various city stakeholders who come together for new urban developments. Gijzel is convinced that while working across all sections of society, it is imperative to include everyone.
Gijzel also recognizes that technology offers a slew of benefits where other methods miserably fail. It gives us an opportunity to create and ensure solutions pertaining to advanced mobility, healthcare, communications and a lot more. But there seems to be a perennial discord between technology people and government functionaries. Techies allege that governments lack the will and speed to implement things required to bring about rapid and perceptible change in society. In fact, there is a lack of understanding about technology in and around government circles. Many of the technology entrepreneurs still insist that a society without governments would deliver a better lifestyle and a more satisfied population. Gijzel, however, thinks that such an arrangement would not endow power to the people. Instead, the world would be dependent on google to make all the decisions that matter. And that is not a comfortable proposition.
ANOTHER VIEW
The ideas and concepts put forth by Boyd Cohen, an urban and climate strategist, have earned wide acclaim and acceptance among researchers and management thinkers around the globe, He is primarily interested in studies revolving around sustainability and smart cities. Boyd Cohen is most recognized for co-authoring a book: Climate Capitalism: Capitalism in the Age of Climate Change. He is also well known for his work on smart cities where he devised a framework that measures the performance of cities on the basis of Smart Cities Wheel. The wheel is a listing of six axes, each with a set of indicators. Cohen proposes that smart cities can be identified with these axes:
• Smart economy
• Smart mobility
• Smart environment
• Smart government
• Smart government
• Smart people
• Smart living
These axes measure the worthiness of a smart city on the basis of information and communication technology implementation, human capital, quality of life, regional competitiveness and participation of stakeholders in city governance. This framework does not attempt to discard traditional theories; on the contrary, it accommodates and connects with older concepts of city governance while introducing radical new ideas.
Boyd’s prophecies about future are remarkable and generate an interest to go there without much ado. He sees block-chain and AI as key players in smart cities of future. Furthermore, he visualizes a greater role of citizens in the decisions for cities’ welfare. In matters of policy, projects, budgeting, education, welfare and healthcare, he sees innovation on a massive scale. The changes would be so radical and overbearing that the name ‘smart cities’ would lose its charm. Instead, names like ‘livable cities’, ‘happy cities’ or ‘human centric cities’ might be adopted. Technology will have a place in the scheme of things but it will only function as an enabler of something more valuable like citizens’ well-being.
CITY CENTRIC ADMINISTRATION
Political theorist Benjamin Barber served as an advisor during Bill Clinton’s presidency. He is known for advocating bold solutions for ‘dysfunctional systems and political paralysis.’ For a long time he advocated for decentralized local governments rather than federally administered ones. He observed that federal-level politicians often created obstacles and were not very enthusiastic in solving problems. They were prone to wasting time and engaging themselves in useless debates. In contrast, city governments, led by the mayor, are keen to provide solution by taking bold steps. That’s why, Barber suggested that the world should make a transition from nation states to city governments.
His book ‘If Mayors Ruled the World’ is replete with exciting new ideas about global administration and how mayors can provide solutions to problems. Only mayors can feel the needs and empathize with the citizens’ aspirations to improve lives. The sequel to this book ‘Cool Cities: Urban Sovereignty and the Fix for Global Warming’ puts forth the argument that cities, not nations, should take the lead in solving pressing global problems like climate change, poverty and disease. In each of the ideas, technology has a central role to play. It is not an end in itself but a means to achieve a far more valuable objective.
CYBER CHALLENGES OF SMART CITIES
We have seen that technology enhancements bring value to the quality of life but they do carry numerous inherent risks. In case of a smart city, a huge network of interconnected systems is in operation. And this huge network is deployed in novel and untested situations. Without security checks and tests malfunctions and glitches are bound to happen. Most of the systems that function in and around cities rely on wireless technology which entails encryption and security protocols. A seemingly minor glitch can swell into a huge problem. One such example is that of a system installed at a county courthouse in California. The system erroneously sent out summons to 1200 people for jury duty on one morning. This event could have passed without much notice but the uncontrollable traffic jam it caused as a result made everyone sit up and take notice. Experts noticed that this glitch was unintentional but things like these can be introduced intentionally by hostile elements.
A number of smart cities are in a nascent stage of development. They are still without a proper action plan to respond to possible cyber attacks. Hackers and hostile groups are always on the look out to make a breach wherever they can find a weak spot. In a smart city a vast surface exists to launch an attack. If the hackers succeed, it means the city’s services, information communication technology and infrastructure will be affected. Evidently, cyber attacks cannot be cast aside as insignificant. A number of measures can be employed to minimize the risk although the threats cannot be eliminated completely.
Deployment of security check lists for encryption, authentication, authorization, and software updates while implementing new systems.
Strict implementation of foolproof and manual options on all city systems.
A set of actionable plans and procedures to combat cyber attacks when they occur.
Not far back in time, great hype and fear was generated against the supposed ‘Weapons of Mass Destruction’ (WMD). On a similar pattern, researchers at Hoover Institutions coined a similar term, eWMD, to refer to cyber attacks of great magnitude. The researchers believed that a cyber attack on chemical facilities, biological research institutes, nuclear plants and nuclear command centers can be no less than conventional WMDs in destructive power. While it is true that eWMDs may not necessarily cause damage to human lives, nevertheless they can deprive people of their livelihoods and can severely affect their economies.
FINAL WORDS
To make smart cities secure and free from risks and threats, the best time to act is now. The hard fact is if cities choose to employ technology, they should anticipate cyber attacks. Attacks increase in direct proportion to how wide the application of technology is. This is the reality. And a smart city requires continuous advancement in technology, organization and well defined action plan to make the place secure. If the cities are safe and secure, trust increases and people will be attracted to make the city their permanent home.