Smart cities use new information and communication technologies to solve urban problems such as housing, transportation and energy. But the term itself remains “more of a buzzword than a clearly articulated program of action”, said Krishna Jayakar, a professor of telecommunications at Pennsylvania State University.
For this reason, Jayakar and his colleagues conducted a comparative analysis of 60 smart cities worldwide to identify different types or categories of smart cities with the aim of helping city planners identify and emulate models that resemble their own socio-economic circumstances and policy goals.
Their results reveal four major types of smart cities.
The Essential Services model is characterized by the use of mobile networks in emergency management programs and by digital healthcare services. Examples include Tokyo and Copenhagen.
The Smart Transportation Model consists of densely populated cities that face problems moving goods and people within the city. These cities, which include Singapore and Dubai, focus on controlling urban congestion through smart public transportation, car sharing and/or self-driving cars.
The Broad Spectrum model emphasizes urban services, such as water, sewage and waste management, and controlling pollution with technological solutions. Examples of these cities are Barcelona, Vancouver and Beijing.
Finally, the Business Ecosystem model is characterized by the use of ICT to drive economic activity. These cities, which include Amsterdam, Edinburgh and Cape Town, prioritize digital skills training and foster high-tech business.
“Our findings can provide city planners with information on specific projects and templates implemented in the field by other planners,” said Jayakar.
