We are witnessing a digital transformation that is redefining various areas of our lives. One of them is a new model of city management based on the effective use of data. The question that local governments ask themselves is not whether it is worth using data, but how to collect, analyze and, thanks to them, optimize the development of the city.
Do you want to learn what city data you can analyze and how to make faster, more accurate decisions based on that information? Discover the benefits of the smart city concept and let your city take a digital step forward.
Data in a smart city
The daily functioning of the city provides more and more data, and technological development makes them available to managers. Why has there been such a great interest in urban data in recent years? The use of data, the rapid flow of information and technology that enables city management on a completely new level are the basis of the concept of a smart city.
Smart city ensures the sustainable development of the city in the areas designated by the ISO 37120 standard. This means the optimization of processes taking place in the city, the right decisions and the immediate reaction of the managers to disturbing changes.
Thanks to the smart city, not only residents who enjoy a higher standard of living benefit. Changes introduced on the basis of collected and analyzed data enable more effective management of municipal energy. Effect? Financial savings and actions in accordance with the pro-ecological attitude.
What can the city do to pay less for energy? Check out our previous post.
Data-driven: Data is power
Professionals agree. The use of digital technologies is one of the factors that enables, among others: the efficient functioning of the city, improving the quality of life of residents, strategic planning and quick response in the face of changes.
What does the process look like that turns specific numerical data into information, decisions, and finally – a benefit for residents? Here are the 6 basic stages related to the use of data in the city:
- Acquiring data from various sources, i.e.: Internet of Things, inventories, services, procedures, projects, processes;
- Integration and storage;
- Secure sharing, including their publication;
- Data analysis – visualization and modeling of data that allow you to draw conclusions based on information;
- Application in specific areas, i.e. decision-making, process optimization, development of e-services, investment planning;
- Benefits of using data – financial savings, efficiency of activities, satisfaction of residents, trust of managers.
Types of city data and how they are used
The basis for managing a smart city is spatial data. Most of the other data sets available to city managers have their reference to geolocation, e.g. address or plot number.
What data on the functioning of the city can you acquire and analyze? Check out the list below and learn about selected data sources.
INTERNET OF THINGS
Data is collected thanks to an extensive network of sensors and cameras that constantly monitor the urban space. What data will you get this way? Among other things, information about: water or air pollution, availability of parking spaces, difficulties for drivers caused by traffic, higher energy consumption in schools, offices, and failure frequency of urban infrastructure.
VISUAL MONITORING
It consists in collecting data via stationary and mobile cameras. This solution is becoming the standard. The basic use of video monitoring is to support ensuring order in public spaces, but it can also be used to collect data on paid parking zones or control municipal services.
PHOTOGRAMETRIC PHOTOS
Through photogrammetric photos, you will obtain 2D and 3D data on the condition of the city’s infrastructure, especially roads, lighting and energy infrastructure. By combining data from aerial photos, you can get a 3D model of the city, which will help you make decisions regarding infrastructure development and urban planning.
AERIAL AND SATELLITE PHOTOS
This type of data allows you to obtain a very precise image of the city, i.e. orthophotomaps or 3D models. This solution will allow you to accurately map the area of urban space. What will you use them for? If you care about a quick response to changes in the environment or effective planning of construction investments.
INFRASTRUCTURE AND URBAN SPACE
Data in this category is obtained mainly through stocktaking and field inspections. They concern, among others: records of road traffic organization, street lighting, inventory of greenery, and advertisements in urban space. They support data obtained through digital solutions.
Do you care about the use of city data and effective management of a city that is developing in the direction of smart? Do you want to learn more about the implementation of modern technologies in your city? We will be happy to answer your questions, so please contact us /link/.
Source: Zarządzanie danymi w miastach. Podręcznik dla samorządów, red. Łachowski W., Kraków–Warszawa 2021.
