Digital transformation plays a crucial role in fostering robust technological infrastructures, in the integration of digital systems to the benefit of communities or in collecting data and using it for improving the delivery of digital public services to citizens. Digital and green transitions are perceived as “twin” processes at the European Union level, as they go hand in hand and complement the achievement of their goals for economic redress. Digitalisation is thus an essential element which creates new opportunities in the sustainability sector. Concrete use-cases? Smart cities!

 

Smart cities are those modern urban areas which use technological solutions to improve the well-being of their inhabitants through offering efficient management systems for transport networks, water supply or city administration. Moreover, smart cities present great benefits in terms of interactivity and responsiveness of the public administration and people living in such communities are experiencing the perks of living in a data-driven society.

 

How does this look in practice?

In smart cities and communities, complex data is collected from citizens, devices, buildings or other assets, and is analysed in order to monitor and manage:

  • Traffic systems, deciding when to switch traffic lights;
  • Power plants, water supply networks or waste disposal facilities;
  • Crime detection and prevention;
  • Public spaces and community services.

Using Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, automation and the integration of data to make well informed decisions on adapting public services to the needs of the local community, smart cities and communities drive innovation and digital economies throughout the world.

 

Youth and smart cities

Young people and local social entrepreneurs manage to bring their skills and energy into facilitating public participation in developing performant city services by adopting emerging technologies for daily activities in the community. Their ideas of co-creating public services could accurately represent the voice of the new generation in the future of society.

Autor

Cezara Panait
Cezara Panait

Cezara Panait is the Head of Digital Policy at the think-tank Europuls – Centre of European Expertise, where she is leading the research and policy activity on emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, automation and digital platforms. She frequently publishes press articles and moderates high-level debates with policy-makers on these topics. Through her activities, she wants to contribute to strengthening an open and transparent debate framework between all actors involved in the decision-making process.