- 30/12/2016
- Category: Commentaries
Technology is the key to invent a brand new direction of the world. The invention of compass has allowed human being to be a world explorer; the invention of machinery has let us experience industrial revolution and now; and it is likely that the invention – and rapid development – of the internet will affect the life of human being in every possible aspects. And then, now we realize that the internet is more than just a mean of communication, it also can be utilized as a vital component to revolutionize the way a city is being managed. The term smart city is being coined to explain how the internet is being utilized and connected to city’s infrastructures in order to improve the quality of public service as well as to maximize citizens’ productivity.[i]
Though there is no clear trace on the history of smart city implementation, it is believed that the trend has begun since mid-2000s. Now in 2016, the adoption of technology for smart city project worldwide has penetrated deeper and wider than before. While cities like Barcelona, Seoul or Copenhagen are performing consistently with its sophisticated smart city plan, several cities in developing nations are now turning its head to this trend. In Mauritius, a tech-hub called Ebène cyber city is established to adjust the traffic system in the country as well as to introduce the concept of smart living to the local inhabitants.[ii] Moving across the continent, Jakarta, which is one of the busiest and traffic-congested cities worldwide, is now introducing Jakarta Smart City portal. This portal enables the citizen to access various information, ranging from real-time commodity price up to traffic situation.
Furthermore, smart city technology also develop its reputation as an eco-friendly innovation, which provide bright prospect for environment protection campaign. In Japan for example, water and electricity usage among its citizen become more efficient and optimized alongside the introduction of smart grid. This success does not come alone as the community in Japan is actively participating within this campaign.[iii] Similar success also occurs in Mexico City. Once dubbed as the most polluted city worldwide, now it is counted as one of the best practice of environmental management in North and South America through its environmental surveillance program. While in Chennai, India, technology has been a key to reform the waste management in the area.[iv]
However, behind all of the success and progress made in the discourse of smart city this year, there remain several problems that shall be addressed. Privacy and security issues are among the major problems that still occur rapidly this year. The case of Rio 2016 Olympic, for instance, has given us a lesson whereby smart city infrastructure needs to be accompanied with a safe security system as well. A lot of athletes’ personal information were being hacked and distributed irresponsibly.[v]
From the stories above, it can be seen that the trend and implementation of smart city project is increasing widely in 2016. The project of smart city in Jakarta, Mauritius, and many other cities in developing nations are just a tip of iceberg for the future outlook of smart city development around the globe. Technological-disparity no longer serves as a critical issue as the internet and technology has grown more rapidly worldwide. Looking at the current pace, it is extremely possible that there will be more smart cities emerge from around the world next year and beyond.
[i] Algaze, B, Krumins, A & Templeton, G 20Making the Moves to a Smart City
[ii] Schuetze, CF 2016, ‘Story of cities #48: Cybercity, Mauritius – a vision of Africa’s ‘smart’ future?’, The Guardian, 23 May, available from: <https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2016/may/23/story-cities-48-ebene-cybercity-mauritius-vision-africa-smart-future> [23 December 2016].
[iii] Granier, B & Kudo, H 2016, How are citizens involved in smart cities? Analyzing citizen participation in Japanese “Smart Communities”, Information Polity, vol. 21, pp.61-76.
[iv] Kabadiwalla Connect 2016, THE MISSING PIECE IN THE RECYCLING SUPPLY-CHAIN FOR INDIAN CITIES, available from: http://www.kabadiwallaconnect.in/materials-recovery-facility/ [23 December 2016].
[v] Duchon, R 2016, ‘Russian Hackers Publish More Health Data of Rio 2016 Olympics’, NBC News, available from: <http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/2016-rio-summer-olympics/russian-hackers-publish-more-health-data-rio-2016-olympians-n648656> [23 December 2016].
