Re-imagining cities as "living laboratories"

Are we on the edge of the "city-as-a-computer" era?

The "city-as-a-computer" metaphor is certainly an intriguing concept, one which requires a nuanced approach, taking into account the social aspects of cities and the complexities of urban environments. The proliferation of smart cities fueled by data collection undeniably steers us closer to a model where city functions resemble a giant computer system. Interconnected sensors, cameras, and internet-of-things (IoT) devices act as the city’s nervous system, continuously generating streams of data on everything from traffic flow to energy use. This mass of information is helping cities optimize resource allocation, streamline urban operations, and even predict potential problems before they occur.

On the other hand, we must also recognize the limitations of the "city-as-a-computer" metaphor, as cities are complex social, economic, and cultural systems, which are inherently difficult to quantify. Cities are more than mere data points. They are vibrant ecosystems driven by human emotions, unpredictable behaviors, and spontaneous interactions.

Therefore, cities are more like complex, adaptive systems where data analysis informs decisions, but human agency and residents’ participation remain essential. The future of cities lies in collaboration – between technology, residents, and city planners – to create people-centered, sustainable, livable, and thriving urban environments. Human values, judgment and ethical considerations will still be essential for guiding decisions.

Smart cities are built on data. How do you balance the need for an endless supply of that with people’s right to privacy?

Data is the lifeblood of smart city initiatives and their success hinges on a massive, ever-growing pool of data. Data is a treasure trove for efficiency, sustainability, and innovation, but also a potential privacy concern. Striking a balance between these two competing forces is crucial for building smart cities that are not only high-performing but also respectful of their residents' right to privacy.

People-centric smart cities prioritize privacy from inception, i.e., privacy by design. They implement technologies that collect data proportionate to need, anonymize data wherever possible, and safeguard secure storage, access, and processing of data.

A strong data governance framework helps successful smart cities establish policies and regulations for data processing and management. Open communication for data collection and sharing, as well as informed consent, help achieve public trust and confidence. Effective cybersecurity measures to protect and safeguard private data are also critical.

Hence, smart cities can harness power of data without compromising the privacy of their residents, in order to achieve people-centric urban environments for all.

To what extent is it possible to future-proof sustainable cities, with so many more people expected to flock to cities in decades to come?

The United Nations estimates that currently, around 55% of the world's population lives in urban areas. That percentage is expected to rise significantly by 2050, reaching an estimated 68%. This means that by mid-century, close to two-thirds of the global population will be residing in cities. Furthermore, this rapid urbanization is expected to be particularly concentrated in developing countries, with most of the increase happening in Asia and Africa.

Future-proofing sustainable cities for a massive influx of residents is definitely a complex undertaking. Fortunately, by implementing well-defined strategies, cities can significantly improve their ability to adapt and thrive in a changing world. Cities can build vibrant, walkable neighborhoods with mixed-use developments that offer residents easy access to housing, jobs, and amenities, while promoting a sustainable solution with reduced car dependence and a lower carbon footprint.

Cities can weave parks, community gardens, and vertical greenery into cityscapes, thereby enhancing urban aesthetics, air quality, and stormwater management, while also combating the urban "heat island" effect. They can invest in robust public transportation and transit systems such as metros, light rail, and efficient bus networks. Transit-oriented development encourages residents to embrace public transport, easing traffic congestion and curbing emissions.

Cities can also embrace a paradigm shift towards smart and sustainable resource management. Circular economy principles can be implemented, minimizing waste generation and maximizing resource recovery through reuse and recycling. This not only reduces a city's ecological footprint but also fosters resource security. Additionally, investments in smart grids optimize energy distribution and integrate renewable sources like solar, wind, and geothermal. This decreases dependence on fossil fuels and establishes a more sustainable energy system. Water conservation strategies, including the implementation of water-saving technologies in buildings and infrastructure, are coupled with exploration of alternative water sources such as rainwater harvesting and wastewater treatment. These comprehensive approaches offer a robust framework for responsible resource management within urban environments.

Cities can also invest in scalable and adaptable infrastructure to allow for flexibility and expansion as they grow and their needs change. They can engage with stakeholders and residents to build support for sustainable initiatives, collectively innovating and incorporating local knowledge into urban planning decisions.

You’re a key figure on the subject of smart sustainable cities. What do you foresee the next 10 years bringing in this field, and how important is international collaboration and expertise-sharing?

The next decade is poised to witness a proliferation of smart sustainable cities. Urban environments will not only embrace cutting-edge technologies but also emphasize sustainability. We will most likely see a combination of emerging technologies (AI and several others) widely adopted and used in urban contexts.

Cities will become the place to test and develop new ideas and technologies rendering them de-facto living laboratories. Future-proofing cities, boosting their resilience, addressing climate change, adopting sustainable practices, and ensuring people-centricity will be highly critical.

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) create a global unified common agenda for nations and cities. In addition, cities have their own specific priorities and agendas. These will drive cities’ action plans while managing their growth and expansion.

In this context, there is a staggering opportunity for cities to share best practices, policies, and solutions since many challenges are commonly faced by cities across the globe. International collaboration can also help cities develop common standards to accelerate progress while also achieving operational efficiencies and interoperability.

Sharing knowledge through joint workshops, research projects, working groups and conferences creates a global knowledge base on smart sustainable cities, facilitating faster learning and innovation across the board. It will be important to provide training and resources to help cities, especially those in developing nations, build the capacity to implement smart sustainable city solutions.

It is almost our collective responsibility to create a future where smart sustainable cities are not just technological marvels but thriving communities that provide a high quality of life for all residents.