Let’s Begin With What Is A Smart City Really Is In Its Truest Sense
Smart Cities is a conceptual framework that benefits from the use of communication technologies (ICT), and its intelligent network of electronic devices and machines managed by cloud-based IoT applications.
What this system or web of information essentially does is collect, analyze, and manage data all being done in real-time in an effort to promote economic growth at a macro-economic aspect by the governments and at a micro-level enhance the quality of life of the people in the form of the general public, municipalities, corporate enterprises simply through harnessing technology to generate smart outcomes.
This remarkable use of technology aims to develop, deploy, and promote sustainable socio-economic developmental practices to address and overcome growing urbanization challenges in the modern society.
What you might think again about what’s so smart about smart cities: Well in all truth it’s the power of the connected devices and them communicating and exchanging data in real-time is that will disrupt and transform modern living into living innovation. The devices used to collect the data may include basic electronic gadgets found in a household to vehicles to on-street sensors.
This data is then stored in the cloud servers that translate that data into useful information to manage efficient and effective decision making – delivering economic benefits as well as drastic improvements in the lives of normal citizens.
Let Us Take An Example Of An Existing Smart City In The World – Dubai Silicon Oasis
A number of large-scale projects are underway in an attempt to revolutionize the modern lifestyle with some examples in London, Barcelona, New York, Dubai, etc.
But as an example let’s look into the Integrated Technology Park in Dubai – The Dubai Silicon Oasis is an integrated technology park that hosts people to live, work, and play all under one roof. Designed as an urban master-planned community, The Dubai Silicon Oasis enjoys one of the most iconic locations in the state while offering state-of-the-art infrastructure and in-house business services
One of the initiatives that are currently being worked on is the “Dubai Digital Park” which spans an area of 150,000 square meters and is set to become the first smart city project at Dubai Silicon Oasis.
The “Dubai Digital Park” project focuses on six main pillars as its strategic plan as a smart city set by the Government:
- Life
- Society
- Mobility
- Economy
- Governance
- Environment
The “Dubai Digital Park” will comprise of the following for not just the locals but also the global target audience:
- Office space comprising 71,000 square meters
- Commercial space comprising 25,000 square meters
- The residential area comprising 46,000 square meters
- 112-key business hotel and 59 furnished apartments
- Value-added facilities:
- Hotel
- Conference Center
- Serviced Apartments
- Central Square
- Boutique Offices
- Plug & Play Offices
- Retail
- Fitness Center
How Is Pakistan Responding To The Growing Demand/Need For Smart Cities
The globally growing demand for sufficient housing through sustainable modern smart cities has certainly made its way to Pakistan as well.
In 2019 – Pakistan was facing an overall housing backlog of 10.3 million housing units, of the total, urban housing shortage was estimated to be around 3.4 million, while rural housing was over seven million.
As reported in Khaleej Times
view of this great housing demand – Future Development Holdings in partnership with other real estate developers, agencies and stakeholders undertook a real estate project – the now popularly known as Capital Smart City.
The chosen location of the project is in close proximity to M2 Motorway near New Islamabad International Airport.
The M2 enjoys a grand entrance with 18-Lanes (400 Ft. wide) and is only 5 minutes away from New Islamabad International Airport.
Some of the key amenities of the Capital Smart City comprises of:
- Load Shedding Free Environment
- Automated Traffic Control
- Automated Utility Supply
- Environmental Collection
- CCTV with Facial & Object Recognition
- Automated Street Lights
- Free Wifi Hotspots
- Automated Air Conditioning Control System
- Electric Bikes
The project has also introduced an exclusive real estate product – the Smart Villas. The villas are positioned to be closer to the landscaped parks and fresh green surroundings. Whereas the interior represents a modern lifestyle, tailor-made for families to be used as 1 or 2 family units. The key features of Smart Villas include:
CCTV Security Cameras
Each Villa is secured using the surveillance of front and rear external CCTV cameras. The monitors can be installed and monitored from anywhere inside the house can be accessed through an authorized smartphone anytime and anywhere
Remote Access & Smart Switch Control
Enjoy controlling all home electrical appliances using your smartphone, tablet, or computer. The same applies to controlling the lights and other related appliances digitally.
Smart Security Motion Sensors
The Villas are equipped with motion sensors that upon activation, provide a local alarm service along with an SMS and email alert on your smartphone or any other gadget. This will act as a warning sign or alert against any intruder.
Smart villas also consist of smart door and windows feature – with all windows equipped with sensors to detect any unwanted intrusion.
One of the most useful benefits of smart technology is being able to remotely lock/unlock the main doors of the Villa. The remote access allows you to provide access to family memes and guests remotely.
Another useful component of the smart technology includes a gas sensor installed in kitchen areas to alert if there is a gas leakage or any accidental openings of gas. This can be activated on your phone or any gadget.
Temperature & Humidity Sensor
Provision of features that measure the temperature and detect humidity signs all done through real-time detection and viewing on the smartphone – gives smart a whole new level of comfort and convenience.
So are Smart Cities here to stay?
After seeing the success of Capital Smart City, especially the fact that the largest investors of the project were foreigners living abroad; it is clear that this trend is very attractive for people who consider the features of a smart city first and foremost priority. Most of these people visit Pakistan temporarily and want peace of mind above everything; the location of the actual city is not their concern as they won’t be travelling that much anyways. Being next to the Airport and being comfortable is what matters most to these smart city lovers.
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Experienced and energetic marketing specialist with over 7 years of experience – Khayyam loves to share his thoughts on startups, disruptive innovation, and whatever piques his interest.
