Stephen LRecently, we wrote about the impending arrival of “smart cities” around the globe (Examining the Implications (and Possibilities) of Smart Cities). That is to say, the framework of complimenting technologies that allow city officials and other local leaders to address many of the challenges in urban areas that are only going to get more significant as time goes on.
Thanks to concepts like the Internet of Things, local area leaders will soon have massive volumes of data about city infrastructures to draw from. They’ll be able to receive, analyze and manage this data in real-time. Within that data will be the insight they need to make better decisions regarding energy use, traffic patterns, and more. They’ll leverage it to not only help cities run in more efficient and more cost-effective ways but to create better experiences for all who live there – which may likely be the most important benefit of all.
But at the same time, nothing in this life is truly black and white – and smart cities are certainly no exception. For every positive aspect of smart cities, there is an equal number of potentially disastrous elements to consider – and privacy is chief among them. None of this is to say that these potential disadvantages mean we shouldn’t still continue to pursue this tech-based future that will be here whether we like it or not. It’s that these issues should be understood and addressed to enjoy as many of the benefits of smart cities with as few of the potential downsides as possible.
Security and Privacy
As stated, probably the number one challenge of smart cities has to do with what will be required to protect the sheer volume of data that all those sensors are creating on a daily basis. Never forget that any device connected to the Internet is a potential vulnerability just waiting to be exploited by someone who knows what they’re doing. Then, once you consider that smart cities will depend on literally billions of devices all connected together, sharing and receiving data at all times, you begin to get an idea of just what a severe problem this can be if left unchecked.
It’s one thing if a hacker somewhere around the world is able to gain access to the camera in your garden due to an insecure password. It’s another matter altogether if they’re able to gain access to a city’s power grid using the exact same means.
Equally concerning is the idea of privacy. If city officials install cameras on every street corner it may go a long way towards helping to prevent crimes… but it could also create a paranoid society that fears they are always being watched. Officials must get together to strike a delicate balance between the convenience that smart cities are supposed to bring us and the privacy that people desperately want to protect.
Of course, there is no easy solution to this issue. But at a bare minimum, officials need to be clear on what type of data they’re collecting, how it’s being collected, and what is being done with it moving forward. Citizens need to be able to make their own decisions regarding exactly what they’re willing to sacrifice for a more convenient life moving forward.
Community Engagement
Another major challenge to the success of smart cities ultimately comes down to the citizens themselves. Local leaders could invest literally billions of dollars in sensors and other Internet of Things-powered equipment to create the most objectively smart city imaginable, and it ultimately won’t mean a thing if the citizens aren’t engaged and fully taking advantage of it.
That’s why a big part of the roll-out of any smart city needs to involve education. The public needs to be informed about what is going on and, more importantly, why. They need to be able to see that this isn’t just about embracing modern technology for the sake of it. It’s about giving them access to benefits that they simply wouldn’t be able to get through other means.
This also means making the community a part of the development process from its inception – which is unfortunately not a step a lot of cities are ready or even willing to take. Citizens will always have their concerns, and it is up to local leaders to listen. The people who live in these areas need to feel like they’re being heard and taken seriously in an effort to get them to support any smart city initiative as early on in the process as possible. If you’re truly going to create a “city of the future,” it’s going to require not just the input and collaboration of big companies and entrepreneurs. It’ll depend on the full buy-in of the residents, too.
Unfortunately, this is one element that a lot of project managers won’t realize until it’s far too late.
So, What will it be?
In the end, it’s obvious that smart cities bring with them an incredible amount of potential to make our lives easier, better, and more efficient. Who out there wouldn’t want to guarantee energy savings and the virtual elimination of traffic congestion? Who wouldn’t want to capitalize on a chance to make their streets cleaner and safer? That’s what smart cities can do, and that future is a lot closer than you think.
Unfortunately, there is a flip side to this particular coin – and challenges like privacy, security, and even engagement must be addressed if these smart cities are going to flourish. Those urban leaders who understand this will be able to mitigate risk from these unintended consequences as much as possible.
Those who don’t… won’t. It doesn’t get much more straightforward than that.
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