Turning ‘Stupid Cities’ Into Smart Cities


09/06/2017

Innovation, technology and data can be used to address “urban policy problems”, while the world is becoming open to living in smart cities.


Dailycsr.com – 06 September 2017 – Whether it is the “academic researchers”, the policy makers or the corporate minds, all are turning to data for solving “urban policy problems”. The “smart city movement” has been signed by most mayors as they “accepted the value of data driven policy”.
 
However, not every city leaders really know the meaning of a “smart city”, reported Bloomberg. For some it is a “futuristic city” wherein services get efficiently and effectively delivered at the click of a button, while others, “more realistic” ones, give importance to the power technology and data which could be used to “improve city services”.
 
As a result, the latter look towards making automatic street lights that would “turn on at night and go off in the morning”. In fact, all the mayors agree that “no one wants to live in a ‘stupid city’”. Therefore, in the 21st Century, the definition of a cities success equates to a “smart city”.
 
Moreover, the term ‘smart city’ has come to be an “aspirational term” for there is a “deeply embedded” idea attach to it, whereby it is thought that in a smart city “we can develop and implement public policy without making mistakes”. While, Ethical Performance added:
“Since that is completely unrealistic, we need a more practical and empirically-based definition to work with”.
 
Therefore, one can agree upon that in a smart city technology and data can be made “usable and accessible” for addressing “urban with the promise of efficiency and effectiveness in delivering public services”. Data could be used for “good” by concentrating on the “utility of data in improving public services” instead of using the same for “private interest”.
 
Furthermore, Ethical Performance informs:
“Data can be used in every aspect of urban governance: to enhance citizen engagement; design policy; analyze the budget implications of policy alternatives; implement programs; monitor program operations for effectiveness and equity; and improve the efficiency of service delivery”.
 
For further information, kindly visit:
https://www.techatbloomberg.com/blog/smart-cities-stupid-cities-and-how-data-can-be-used-to-solve-urban-policy-problems/
 
 
 
 
References:
http://3blmedia.com