SMART CITIES

The concept of ‘smart city’ refers to a city that uses Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to improve the quality of life of its inhabitants and optimize the management of its resources.

According to the European Commission’s definition, a smart city is:

A place that integrates physical, digital and human systems into traditional networks and services to better utilize energy resources and reduce emissions for the benefit of citizens and businesses.

Un lugar que integra los sistemas físicos, digitales y humanos en las redes y servicios tradicionales para utilizar mejor los recursos energéticos y reducir las emisiones en beneficio de los ciudadanos y las empresas.

The definition of ‘smart city’ goes beyond the use of digital technologies: it also includes energy efficiency, the use of integrated renewable energy sources, the use of new, smarter and more sustainable means of urban mobility, as well as improved water supply and better waste disposal facilities to meet the city’s economic, social and environmental challenges.

Smart cities depend, to a large extent,, on a broad and inclusive political and citizen commitment to deliver sustainable and inclusive solutions to make cities more resilient.

AXES OF GROWTH AND TRANSFORMATION OF CITIES

Smart cities have a great potential for growth in aspects related to development around these 6 axes.

Economy

People

Government

Mobility

Environment

Quality of Life

CITIES IN CONSTANT EVOLUTION

Cities are evolving every day, through emerging and advanced technologies, including data science and artificial intelligence. Today, technology can understand and adapt to the behaviors of those who inhabit urban spaces. In this way, it can maximize efficiency and aggregate city information in real time to make recommendations that come from everyday experiences of citizens to improve their quality of life.

“Maximizing efficiency and aggregating city information to make recommendations through the constant flow of data.”

Cognitive cities are the next step for smart cities. They are set up as data-centric communities that learn, create memories, and retrieve experiences to continuously improve urban quality of life. This points to a progression of smarter, more inclusive, and human-centred urban environments. It involves prioritizing the well-being and liveability of urban communities to create cities that are smarter, more adaptable, and thus happier places to live.

A smart city focuses on real-time information, while a cognitive city seeks to be proactive and predictive in responding to society’s needs.

INNOVATION-BASED ECOSYSTEMS

Innovation ecosystems are configured as the engine of smart cities, where initiatives are promoted through innovation, by actors who believe that through innovation it is possible to transform society, stimulating social and economic development.

Innovation ecosystems are made up of various actors. Each has its role in the ecosystem and is fundamental for the innovative environment to be strengthened. According to the quadruple helix model, interaction in ecosystems is based on four main helixes:

ACADEMIA

Essential for the training of professionals, exchange of knowledge and technology, and stimulation of technological potential in cities.

PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS

Create programs, specific policies, and provide support (financial, communication and visibility) for ecosystems.

BUSINESS NETWORKS

Assist in the creation and viability of products and services in economic sectors and drive economic activity both locally and internationally.

COMMUNITY

Test solutions, participate in research and innovation at different levels, and generate manpower for companies.

Likewise, within the quadruple helix, some actors that facilitate and promote entrepreneurship in the ecosystem stand out. In this way, new ideas, solutions, and innovative prototypes take shape in response to the emerging needs of a society.

ENTREPRENEURS

Promote the creation of new companies, stimulating the economic, technological, and social development of a community.

INVESTORS

Essential in promoting access to necessary capital for the development of innovative companies and projects.

INCUBATORS

Organizations linked to universities, municipalities, and business networks with the objective of supporting new companies, offering them training and work tools.

ACCELERATORS

Promote projects with predefined models by providing financing, advice, market orientation, as well as build bridges with investors, etc.