What are smart cities?
A smart city can be defined as a city that anticipates and accommodates future needs in an elegant way. The smart city makes use of information and communication technologies to increase operational efficiency and improve the lifestyle of citizens. The major technology used in smart cities is the Internet of Things (IoT). IoT devices include connected sensors, lights, and meters that collect data and then analyze it to enhance the welfare of citizens. Seoul is recognized as the world’s first smart city.
Why is there a need for smart cities?
More than 60% of the world’s population is currently living in urban areas as compared to 30% in 1950, and these numbers are only expected to get worse in the years to come. A study from the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs predicts that another 2.5 billion people will add to the urban sector in the next two decades. The rapid growth in the urban sector has led to the formation of megacities. These megacities have an increased crime rate, drastically higher levels of pollution, and multiple other problems that damage the world. The world is in dire need to replace these megacities with smart cities.
By making use of new technologies and advanced infrastructure, smart cities will be able to solve many of these urban world problems. They can greatly improve the lives of the people that live there as well.
Some examples as to how this can be accomplished are as follows:
- improved public transportation,
- enhanced IT connectivity,
- efficient sanitation and solid waste management,
- decreased level of pollution, and
- improved water and power supply.
How Smart Cities Are Changing the Dynamics of the Construction Sector
The idea of smart cities seemed like science fiction or as in a distant future, but now they are being developed. Building these smart cities is a massive undertaking, and the construction industry is the major stakeholder in this venture. The global smart city market is valued at around $950 billion and is expected to grow to around $2.74 trillion in the next 2 years. The most technologically advanced cities in the world are being built by an industry that has been traditionally averse to technology which is somewhat ironic.
Traditional practices of the construction sector are rendered obsolete after the introduction of these smart cities. These smart cities cannot be built using traditional construction tools and equipment, but rather, new and advanced equipment is required. The construction companies involved in building these smart cities are constantly going through changes to adapt themselves to new technologies.
A major change observed in the construction landscape is the increased emphasis on technology. The idea of smart cities is focused around using advanced technologies in the infrastructure. Construction firms have adapted to this change by introducing tech consultants in their organizations. The majority of the firms are outsourcing these tech consultancy services, but some big names are focusing on creating their own in-house teams for the tasks.
Another prominent change in the construction sector is in the form of an increased emphasis on good façade maintenance. Smart cities have a strong focus on constructing efficient buildings by ensuring proper insulation and protection. Construction leaders in the façade realm have made sure that their services are up to the task by investing time and money in this segment.
The biggest change so far in the landscape of construction is the switch away from concrete. Concrete is the most widely used construction material on the planet, but it is a major contributor to carbon emissions. The ideology of building a smart city is focused on reducing pollution, so alternatives for concrete are being developed to solve the carbon emission problem. Green concrete is a new development in this regard, but it is still under the testing and development phase. The most commonly used alternative, for now, is wood, and mass timber is replacing concrete as it is the most sturdy and viable kind.
Conclusion
The creation of smart cities is a big challenge and has created a major change in the way construction companies operate. Adapting to modern technology and practices has now become crucial for the survival and growth of the construction sector. Smart cities are a way to a more sustainable future for our planet.