Top 5 Smart City Trends For 2023
As cities get smarter, they redefine and readapt urban ecosystems to new ways of functioning and living for citizens. The tech acceleration as a result of the pandemic over the last two years has also brought about so many changes to city structures that it sometimes feels like we’ve fast-forwarded into the future - and the future is now.
Smart Cities are built on a number of layers that interconnect and determine how a city functions overall. Mixing tech applications, data and public use, we’ve created an ecosystem that keeps transforming and adapting not only to citizens’ needs, but also to emerging innovations that have the potential to simplify urban planning and enhance quality of life for all.
A quick overview of the latest developments also gives us a window into how cities will continue to evolve as we set our sights on 2023 and beyond.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the top trends and predictions for Smart Cities in the next year. Or at the very least, some of my favourites!
Top 5 Smart City Trends for 2023
1. Smart Health
We’ve seen this ongoing trend emerging with the COVID-19 pandemic, and it’s made all the difference. Smart technologies support not just diagnosis and treatment, but also drive prevention and self-care in a huge way, easing tremendous pressure on our healthcare systems and the people in need of it. Data analytics are also helping to create custom healthcare for individuals and their families, based on their individual needs, and allow for chronic conditions to be monitored remotely.
2. The circular economy will transform public transportation
While much of the circular economy at present is focused on the reduction of packaging and textile waste, circular design is also making its way into the public transportation industry through the use of low-carbon materials, a planned increase in the use term of vehicles (especially electric ones), and a shift from planned obsolescence to remanufacturing and recycling.
3. Digital transformation and connectivity
With an increased demand for bandwidth and interconnectivity between systems, this trend will demand city authorities and structures to always re-adapt how they work. This is often already a challenge, but it is within this challenge that solutions arise, as it can set better digital premises for ongoing changes in how Smart Cities function. Artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and cloudification technologies will increasingly enable future networks, eventually giving way to the planned launch of 6G networks around 2028.
4. Smart Energy
We’re already investing more and more in clean energy and supporting cities to become more resilient, and the pressure to do so will only increase as it's been on the world’s agenda for quite some time now. This involves the use of sustainable and ethical materials, environment-friendly and resource-efficient designs, renewable-powered systems, and digital technologies to adapt to usage. This energy reshaping also aids the creation and implementation of a circular economy.
5. Smart Citizen involvement
A smart city cannot exist without its ultimate core pillar - its citizens. Technological advances will foster stronger trust between citizens and institutions and encourage civic participation. Existing apps already allow citizens to report local issues and increase networking within the community that facilitate the sharing of resources.
These trends and the developments that come with them are there to bridge gaps within existing urban structures, and aid in the creation of a stronger system that both functions more easily and delivers more to citizens as part of a smarter, better way of life.
These are my top 5 trends in Smart City development for the year ahead. Which are yours?
