The role of humans in the management of a smart city

The task that citizens will play in future smart cities is yet to be properly defined

To be truly innovative, one of the major challenges cities are already facing is being able to design urban solutions that take into account – and in real-time – the requirements of their inhabitants and visitors. When we talk about smart cities, concepts such as innovation, technology and IoT quickly come to mind.

Yet we rarely look into what citizens bring to the table and that needs to change: inclusion strategies must be created to avoid causing or even widening gaps between citizens and their specific needs.

The importance of creating smart citizens

Technology has completely transformed the way we work, move around, socialise and interact with one another. Social networks, connectivity and mobile phones have revolutionised our behaviour. In the field of smart cities, the actual role that technology and real-time data will play has yet to be defined. What is certain, however, is that it will form a key role in our lives.

Technology will be present and smart city planning must be made bespoke, with attention to every detail and considering the needs of individual cities. The success of smart cities relies on the way technology solutions engage with citizens. That is why citizens must take a leading role in the design, creation and evolution of such solutions.

It should not be forgotten that the ultimate goal of a smart city is to provide a better quality of life and ensure better prosperity for businesses and citizens.

It is true that technology and data are key elements in the creation of smart cities, but without the smartness of people, proper engagement will not be achieved and smart city projects are doomed to fail.

But it is not just about giving humans the information or data to create a smart municipality. It is about empowering citizens to contribute with their own initiatives in the creation of smart cities or smart communities.

In short, it means that they support the establishment of smarter cities either as an individual expert or in a more corporate sense by launching or engaging with non-profit organisations, associations, digital innovation hubs and project consortiums in an attempt to add their voice toward addressing urban challenges.

Header image courtesy of FIWOO