Top Smart Cities in the World
IMD and Singapore University of Technology and Design (STUD) collaborated to create a global ranking of the top smart cities by conducting extensive research. The 2021 Smart City Index surveyed citizens from 118 cities and rated each city based on economic and technological data. We will give some examples of Smart Cities based on this index.
Singapore has been recognized as the world’s smartest city, and is widely regarded as a city of the future for a variety of reasons. The city boasts the first industry-led smart city lab in Southeast Asia, known as the Smart Urban Co-Innovation Lab, which includes over 30 companies such as Amazon Web Services, Cisco Systems, and Schneider Electric collaborating with local tech start-ups and international partners to further develop smart city technologies. Singapore has implemented a number of smart city projects in all areas of life, including:
- Utilizing an autonomous fleet to help the elderly or those with limited mobility move around
- Adopting robotics and AI-powered chatbots to communicate with the elderly, providing relevant information and reducing loneliness
- Digitizing the healthcare system, allowing for TeleHealth video consultations and TeleRehab, among other things
- Offering apps that enable users to hail self-driving vehicles, access information tailored to specific demographics, and receive location-specific environmental alerts
- Using Hello Lamp Post’s communication participation technology to gather citizens’ perceptions and insights.
- Autonomous vehicles: Singapore has been testing autonomous vehicles since 2015, with the aim of deploying them for public use by 2022. Autonomous buses are already operating in several neighborhoods.
- Smart traffic management: Singapore uses a network of sensors and cameras to monitor traffic flow and adjust traffic lights in real-time to reduce congestion.
- Smart energy management: Singapore has implemented a smart grid that monitors energy use in real-time and allows for efficient distribution of electricity.
- Waste management: Singapore has implemented a smart waste management system that uses sensors to monitor trash levels in public bins and optimize collection routes.
- Smart homes: Singapore is piloting smart home technologies that allow residents to remotely control their appliances, lighting, and air conditioning systems, as well as monitor their energy usage.
- Healthcare: Singapore has launched several smart healthcare initiatives, including telemedicine services and a health monitoring program that uses wearables to collect and analyze data on patients’ health.
- Water management: Singapore has implemented a smart water management system that uses sensors and analytics to monitor water quality and manage water resources more efficiently.
Singapore according to the Smart City index of 2021 is in the first place.
Zurich, the capital of Switzerland, has a smart strategy that focuses on three main areas: Future forms of integrated public mobility, digital city, and smart participation. In order to achieve these goals, the city is undertaking a number of smart projects, including:
- Pikmi: an on-demand taxi service that uses car-pooling to transport more than one passenger at a time that wants to travel in the same direction. This helps to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.
- LoRaWan: a Long Range Wide Area Network that lays the ground for IoT sensors in public spaces that can help to measure pollution, water values, and free parking lots. This enables the city to collect real-time data on various aspects of urban life and make data-driven decisions to improve the quality of life for citizens.
- HoloPlanning: With augmented reality glasses such as the “HoloLens,” future buildings, underground pipelines, and much more are made visible on-site as semi-transparent 3D holograms. This helps architects, engineers, and urban planners to visualize and plan future developments more effectively.
- Smart Waste – Zurich has implemented a smart waste management system that uses IoT sensors to monitor waste levels in containers and optimize waste collection routes. This helps to reduce unnecessary trips, save time and money, and improve the city’s overall cleanliness.
- Smart Lighting – The city has implemented smart lighting solutions that use LED lights and motion sensors to adjust the lighting levels in public spaces according to the needs of citizens. This helps to save energy and reduce light pollution.
Zurich according to the Smart City index of 2021 is in the second place.
In 2019, Oslo was named the European Green Capital by the European Commission due to the city’s efforts to become more intelligent and efficient through a range of initiatives, including:
- The Oslo Toll Ring, which is an automated toll system that uses electronic road pricing to reduce congestion and provide incentive rates for zero-emission vehicles. This generates revenues that help to finance the city’s mobility programs.
- FutureBuilt, a program that aims to develop 50 building and neighborhood development projects that reduce carbon footprint by 50% compared to current standards. The program brings together private and public partners to support construction projects that promote sustainability.
- The Smart Oslo Accelerator, which is a platform that makes it easier for local councillors and the private sector, particularly startups, to collaborate and bring new innovations to the city.
- Climate budget: In 2019, Oslo became the first city in the world to introduce a climate budget. The budget tracks the city’s emissions and sets out plans to reduce them.
- Electric vehicles: Oslo has an ambitious plan to phase out fossil fuel-based vehicles by 2025. The city offers a range of incentives for electric vehicle owners, including free charging, toll exemptions, and free parking.
- Smart lighting: The city is currently testing smart lighting systems that can adjust to changing weather and traffic conditions, reducing energy consumption while ensuring optimal lighting levels for pedestrians and cyclists.
Oslo according to the Smart City index of 2021 is in the third place.
Taipei, the capital city of Taiwan, has been working on various smart city applications to enhance the quality of life of its citizens and promote sustainable development. Here are some examples of smart city applications in Taipei:
- Public Transportation: Taipei has implemented a smart transportation system that provides real-time information on bus and train schedules, traffic conditions, and parking availability. The city has also launched an electronic payment system for public transportation, making it more convenient for commuters to pay their fares.
- Waste Management: Taipei has a smart waste management system that uses RFID tags to track garbage trucks and ensure that waste is collected efficiently. The city has also launched an app that helps citizens identify recycling and garbage collection points, and provides information on waste reduction and disposal.
- Smart Energy: Taipei has implemented a smart energy system that uses advanced sensors and analytics to monitor energy consumption and optimize energy usage. The city has also introduced a solar power generation system and is promoting the use of electric vehicles to reduce carbon emissions.
- Smart Healthcare: Taipei is using smart healthcare technologies to improve the quality of healthcare services. The city has introduced a mobile app that allows citizens to access medical records and make appointments with doctors. It has also launched a smart healthcare center that provides real-time monitoring of patients’ health status.
- Smart Water Management: Taipei has implemented a smart water management system that uses IoT sensors and analytics to monitor water usage and detect leaks. The city has also launched a water-saving campaign to encourage citizens to conserve water.
Tapei according to the Smart City index of 2021 is in the fourth place.
Lausanne, the fourth largest city in Switzerland, has implemented several smart city applications to improve the quality of life for its residents, promote sustainability, and enhance urban planning. Here are some examples of smart city applications in Lausanne:
- Smart Mobility: Lausanne has implemented a smart mobility system that includes an app-based bike-sharing program and a car-sharing service. The city has also introduced a real-time parking availability system, which allows drivers to find available parking spots quickly.
- Smart Lighting: Lausanne has implemented a smart lighting system that uses LED lights and sensors to optimize energy consumption. The system also includes a remote monitoring and control system, which allows the city to adjust lighting levels in real-time based on occupancy and weather conditions.
- Smart Waste Management: Lausanne has implemented a smart waste management system that uses sensors to monitor waste levels in trash cans and optimize waste collection routes. The system also includes a mobile app that allows citizens to report waste-related issues and request special waste collection services.
- Smart Energy: Lausanne has implemented a smart energy system that uses solar panels, heat pumps, and energy storage systems to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The city also has a smart grid system that allows energy producers and consumers to share information about energy usage and production.
- Smart Buildings: Lausanne has implemented a smart building program that includes retrofitting buildings with energy-efficient technology, such as smart thermostats and energy-saving lighting. The city is also developing a smart building certification program to encourage building owners to adopt sustainable building practices.
Overall, Lausanne’s smart city initiatives aim to improve the quality of life for its residents while reducing its environmental footprint. The city is leveraging technology to create a more sustainable and efficient urban environment.
Lausanne according to the Smart City index of 2021 is in the fifth place.