Building the future: How ICT can help develop livable cities

With the steady acceleration of global urbanization, 50% of the population and 70% of the gross domestic product (GDP) now come from cities.

However, cities are facing increasing pressures associated with growing urbanization: public safety, resource imbalance, traffic congestion, environmental pollution and energy shortages, etc. In order to address some of these challenges, the concept of smart cities has been developed as a strategy for sustainable urban development, which directly affects the livability of various areas.

Meeting the challenges of globalization

More and more countries around the world are building smart cities through a series of leading ICT technologies, such as cloud computing, the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, and mobility. These technologies integrate, share, and aggregate city-wide resources to provide real-time, efficient, and intelligent information services. As a result, smart cities are reshaping the way public services are provided and managed, and changing the way residents travel, work, learn, interact, consume products and services, and entertain themselves.

In the field of smart cities, Huawei works with partners to develop advanced solutions for multiple industries such as public safety, energy, transportation, education, healthcare, and campuses. From technological innovation to the creation of open platforms, Huawei is committed to building a comprehensive smart city ecosystem. Huawei currently serves more than 100 cities in more than 40 counties, providing a variety of ICT products and solutions, including IoT communication modules and operating systems, wired and wireless access, agile networks, cloud-based distributed data centers, and big data platforms.

Technology is a strategic lever for urban development

Smart city leaders across the continent are beginning to view technology as more than a cost center related to operational efficiency, but as a strategic investment related to program outcomes, new services and economic development. For example, the European Innovation Partnership for Smart Cities and Communities (EIP-SCC) is an initiative supported by the European Commission that brings together cities, industry, small businesses, banks, research institutions, etc. It aims to improve urban life through more sustainable and integrated solutions and address specific urban challenges from different policy areas such as energy, mobility and transport, and ICT.

Businesses and residents operating in the global digital economy want to know what advances the city of the future will continue to make in these areas, while tourists are looking for a city that is safe and easy to navigate.

These investments require a level of innovation to test emerging technologies, the ability to work with new combinations of partners, from universities to operating and IT companies to real estate developers and urban planners, and to be transparent and open about the impact of new technologies.

As a result, more and more European cities are developing or have already put forward a smart vision, and leading cities have shown that investment in this area can bring success. Cities are using open data and neighborhood labs to test technologies, bringing more tech industry companies into the city, and providing free benefits to the public, such as high-speed Wi-Fi.

The most important stakeholders in a city are its residents

Beyond the technical aspects, smart cities require appropriate representation and integration of the various stakeholders in a city (i.e. the public sector, planners and developers, utilities, ICT and infrastructure providers, private companies and investors), the most important of which are the residents.

The deployment of smart cities is therefore a complex socio-technical endeavour that requires the systematic integration of the use of organisational, financial, social, operational, technological and psychological factors within the context of the human, social, business, political and natural environments it will face.

Smart city technologies are a differentiator for the cities that deploy them. Huawei believes these technologies and programs will play a key role in helping municipalities meet growing challenges and compete more effectively in the global digital economy. Smart cities harness the power of technology and drive local innovation to create jobs, provide a safe and high-quality life for residents, and attract talent, tourists, and visitors.

To do this, city leaders need concrete strategic plans, investment strategies, and better information about best practices for successful smart city implementation to reduce risks and improve outcomes.

The potential impact of smart city transformation cannot be overstated. With current and projected urban populations, these solutions can reach the majority of the world’s population, keep them safe and support most global economic growth. Improving quality of life has become a fundamental tenet of smart cities, and now cities need to leverage data, technology and people to influence change and design cities.

Huawei is committed to promoting the development of open smart city platforms to achieve better life and better industry in cities around the world.