Modern cities continue to grow at a rapid pace, with 55 percent of the world’s population living in urban areas today and a projected 13 percent increase to that number by 2050.1 Cities around the world are being challenged to provide tangible and equitable economic, social, and environmental benefits for their citizens. They must also provide better quality and more sustainable services, improve public safety, address congestion and environmental issues, reduce costs, and promote local economic competitiveness. Scaling existing infrastructure and human resource-intensive processes is cost prohibitive, unmanageable, and unsupportable, so cities are looking to technological solutions to alleviate these pressures.

As population has grown, technology has taken unprecedented strides. With the introduction of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, edge computing, machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), and 5G communications networks, the technological tools needed are now available, and transitioning to a smart, technology-supported city is now possible.

Embedded smart city technologies (sensors, cameras, and edge computing) can now provide near real-time awareness of issues requiring attention, and data collected and analyzed from these devices can be used to optimize city operations. Smart city solutions can improve basic services, enhance public safety, increase sustainability, and inform planning and policy making. They can also be used to enhance public experiences and optimize operational efficiency at local sports stadiums, theme parks, and resorts or improve parking and safety on university campuses. The reach and impact are broad, but every application helps result in a better quality of life for citizens.