Measuring the success of smart cities - Revision history

Designing Buildings at 07:37, 27 November 2020

2020-11-27T07:37:16Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:37, 27 November 2020
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	* Urban design.		* Urban design.

−	[[Category:~~Research_/_Innovation~~]] [[Category:DCN_Research,_Development_and_Innovation]]	+	[[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:DCN_Research,_Development_and_Innovation]] [[Category:Research_/_Innovation]]

Editor at 16:56, 6 November 2017

2017-11-06T16:56:27Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:56, 6 November 2017
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	=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki ===		=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki ===

		+	* Can we build cities that anticipate the future?
	* Changing lifestyles.		* Changing lifestyles.
	* City Beautiful.		* City Beautiful.
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	* Urban design.		* Urban design.

−	[[Category:Research_/_Innovation]]	+	[[Category:Research_/_Innovation]] [[Category:DCN_Research,_Development_and_Innovation]]

Editor at 12:44, 4 August 2017

2017-08-04T12:44:23Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:44, 4 August 2017
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	* Eco towns.		* Eco towns.
	* Engineering Smart Cities.		* Engineering Smart Cities.
		+	* Four ways smart cities will make our lives better.
	* Garden cities.		* Garden cities.
	* Green belt.		* Green belt.

Editor at 09:23, 1 June 2017

2017-06-01T09:23:45Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:23, 1 June 2017
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	* Smart cities - is small to medium beautiful?		* Smart cities - is small to medium beautiful?
	* Smart cities design timeframe.		* Smart cities design timeframe.
		+	* Smart cities need to find some smarter answers.
	* Smart construction.		* Smart construction.
	* Smart technology.		* Smart technology.

Editor at 10:42, 24 May 2017

2017-05-24T10:42:52Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:42, 24 May 2017
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	* Smart technology.		* Smart technology.
	* Sustainable development.		* Sustainable development.
		+	* The Living City: Rethinking our role in the Digital Age.
	* Urban design.		* Urban design.

	[[Category:Research_/_Innovation]]		[[Category:Research_/_Innovation]]

Editor at 11:48, 1 March 2017

2017-03-01T11:48:58Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:48, 1 March 2017
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	When it comes to smart technology, as elsewhere, we tend to abhor the average. Medium is often seen as a synonym for mediocrity. Could this be about to change?		When it comes to smart technology, as elsewhere, we tend to abhor the average. Medium is often seen as a synonym for mediocrity. Could this be about to change?

−	Over the past 60 years BSRIA has become rather good at assessing the performance of building systems, which increasingly encompasses ‘smart’ buildings. This is despite the fact that buildings come in an almost limitless variety of ages, structures and functions, with the capabilities of building systems being similarly diverse. We know that a smart building will be one that uses technology to improve the efficiency, comfort, security and safety of a building in a cost-effective way, and most of these factors can, to some degree, be measured.	+	Over the past 60 years BSRIA has become rather good at assessing the performance of building systems, which increasingly encompasses ‘smart’ buildings. This is despite the fact that buildings come in an almost limitless variety of ages, structures and functions, with the capabilities of building systems being similarly diverse.
		+
		+	We know that a smart building will be one that uses technology to improve the efficiency, comfort, security and safety of a building in a cost-effective way, and most of these factors can, to some degree, be measured.

	But what about smart cities? You can search online for the “smart” capabilities of almost any significant city and find plenty of interesting information and often a designated programme. But to make sense of this information, let alone to measure one city’s ‘smartness’ against another, you need to answer some fundamental questions:		But what about smart cities? You can search online for the “smart” capabilities of almost any significant city and find plenty of interesting information and often a designated programme. But to make sense of this information, let alone to measure one city’s ‘smartness’ against another, you need to answer some fundamental questions:
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	* Garden cities.		* Garden cities.
	* Green belt.		* Green belt.
		+	* How to make the digital revolution a success.
	* Infrastructure.		* Infrastructure.
	* Masterplanning.		* Masterplanning.

Editor at 13:52, 19 April 2016

2016-04-19T13:52:47Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:52, 19 April 2016
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	* Smart buildings.		* Smart buildings.
	* Smart cities.		* Smart cities.
		+	* Smart cities - is small to medium beautiful?
	* Smart cities design timeframe.		* Smart cities design timeframe.
	* Smart construction.		* Smart construction.

Designing Buildings at 14:19, 8 February 2016

2016-02-08T14:19:26Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:19, 8 February 2016
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	Over the past 60 years BSRIA has become rather good at assessing the performance of building systems, which increasingly encompasses ‘smart’ buildings. This is despite the fact that buildings come in an almost limitless variety of ages, structures and functions, with the capabilities of building systems being similarly diverse. We know that a smart building will be one that uses technology to improve the efficiency, comfort, security and safety of a building in a cost-effective way, and most of these factors can, to some degree, be measured.		Over the past 60 years BSRIA has become rather good at assessing the performance of building systems, which increasingly encompasses ‘smart’ buildings. This is despite the fact that buildings come in an almost limitless variety of ages, structures and functions, with the capabilities of building systems being similarly diverse. We know that a smart building will be one that uses technology to improve the efficiency, comfort, security and safety of a building in a cost-effective way, and most of these factors can, to some degree, be measured.

−	But what about smart cities? ~~Over the past few years the term has become current.~~ You can search online for the “smart” capabilities of almost any significant city and find plenty of interesting information and often a designated programme. But to make sense of this information, let alone to measure one city’s ‘smartness’ against another, you need to answer some fundamental questions:	+	But what about smart cities? You can search online for the “smart” capabilities of almost any significant city and find plenty of interesting information and often a designated programme. But to make sense of this information, let alone to measure one city’s ‘smartness’ against another, you need to answer some fundamental questions:

	* What are the key attributes of a ‘smart city’?		* What are the key attributes of a ‘smart city’?
Line 17:		Line 17:
	* The environment.		* The environment.
	* The people (skills).		* The people (skills).
−	* Living (~~‘liveability’~~).	+	* Living (liveability).
	* Governance.		* Governance.

Line 24:		Line 24:
	Luxembourg, which comes top, just so happens to be the capital of the richest country in the world per capita. While the correlation between wealth and smart cities is strong, the causal relationship is less clear. How much of a rich city’s smart technology is contributing to the city’s wealth, and how much of it is ‘nice to have’ froth?		Luxembourg, which comes top, just so happens to be the capital of the richest country in the world per capita. While the correlation between wealth and smart cities is strong, the causal relationship is less clear. How much of a rich city’s smart technology is contributing to the city’s wealth, and how much of it is ‘nice to have’ froth?

−	If we delve a bit deeper, we can start to see how different factors contribute to a smart city’s success. You might for example expect that effective smart governance would be easier in smallish cities where the leaders can more easily keep in touch with the real needs of citizens. And sure enough, smaller cities do appear more effective than larger ones in this regard, with cities in the range of 100,000 – 150,000 occupying the ‘golden spot’, and cities with over 300,000 generally ranking much lower.	+	If we delve a bit deeper, we can start to see how different factors contribute to a smart city’s success. You might for example expect that effective smart governance would be easier in smallish cities where the leaders can more easily keep in touch with the real needs of citizens. And sure enough, smaller cities do appear more effective than larger ones in this regard, with cities in the range of 100,000-150,000 occupying the ‘golden spot’, and cities with over 300,000 generally ranking much lower.

	[[File:Ranking_of_smart_cities_governance.jpg\|link=File:Ranking_of_smart_cities_governance.jpg]]		[[File:Ranking_of_smart_cities_governance.jpg\|link=File:Ranking_of_smart_cities_governance.jpg]]
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	[Image source: europeansmartcities and BSRIA]		[Image source: europeansmartcities and BSRIA]

−	But surely there must be some areas where larger cities find it easier to be smart. One clue to this lies in another survey. The [http://www.mori-m-foundation.or.jp/english/ius2/gpci2/ Global Power City Index] (GPCI), published by the Mori Memorial Foundation is not about smart cities in the narrow sense rather it “evaluates and ranks the major cities of the world according to their ~~“magnetism,”~~ i.e. their comprehensive power which allows them to attract creative individuals and business enterprises from every continent and to mobilize their assets in securing economic, social and environmental development.”	+	But surely there must be some areas where larger cities find it easier to be smart. One clue to this lies in another survey. The [http://www.mori-m-foundation.or.jp/english/ius2/gpci2/ Global Power City Index] (GPCI), published by the Mori Memorial Foundation is not about smart cities in the narrow sense rather it “evaluates and ranks the major cities of the world according to their 'magnetism' i.e. their comprehensive power which allows them to attract creative individuals and business enterprises from every continent and to mobilize their assets in securing economic, social and environmental development.”

−	The survey also, by its very nature, focusses mostly on the biggest cities. It measures these against a series of criteria. For one of these – strength in research and development - there really do seem to be ~~‘economies~~ of ~~scale’~~.	+	The survey also, by its very nature, focusses mostly on the biggest cities. It measures these against a series of criteria. For one of these – strength in research and development - there really do seem to be economies of scale.

	[[File:Smart_cities_strength_in_research_and_development.jpg\|link=File:Smart_cities_strength_in_research_and_development.jpg]]		[[File:Smart_cities_strength_in_research_and_development.jpg\|link=File:Smart_cities_strength_in_research_and_development.jpg]]
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	[Image source: Mori Memorial Foundation and BSRIA]		[Image source: Mori Memorial Foundation and BSRIA]

−	Here we can see larger cities holding the advantage, especially New York, but also London, Los Angeles and Seoul. This reflects the tendency for technical expertise to cluster in cities and regions where companies and employees feed off each other. Significantly, the only poorly performing larger cities are ~~all~~ in emerging economies, and so could be expected to ‘mature’ over time.	+	Here we can see larger cities holding the advantage, especially New York, but also London, Los Angeles and Seoul. This reflects the tendency for technical expertise to cluster in cities and regions where companies and employees feed off each other. Significantly, the only poorly performing larger cities are in emerging economies, and so could be expected to ‘mature’ over time.

	The same survey, unsurprisingly, shows the bigger cities performing markedly less well environmentally, and perhaps more surprisingly, slightly less well in overall economic capability.		The same survey, unsurprisingly, shows the bigger cities performing markedly less well environmentally, and perhaps more surprisingly, slightly less well in overall economic capability.
Line 50:		Line 50:
	Much of this confirms what we might have predicted, and clearly size is only one of a number of factors in the smart city, and not in any way decisive. Nonetheless, when we are looking at how best to develop smart cities where we want to live and work, it does have implications.		Much of this confirms what we might have predicted, and clearly size is only one of a number of factors in the smart city, and not in any way decisive. Nonetheless, when we are looking at how best to develop smart cities where we want to live and work, it does have implications.

−	Humans are heavily influenced by scale. Research has confirmed that organisations function best in groups of 150 maximum. Could it be that about 100-150,000 is the ‘optimum’ size for planning a smart city? If so, there are important implications. The answer may lie not in the ~~mega cities~~ that we are seeing in some parts of the world but in the smaller and mid-sized cities. And larger cities, like London and Paris may be wise to devolve much of their work to more local boroughs and arrondissements as they already do.	+	Humans are heavily influenced by scale. Research has confirmed that organisations function best in groups of 150 maximum. Could it be that about 100-150,000 is the ‘optimum’ size for planning a smart city? If so, there are important implications. The answer may lie not in the megacities that we are seeing in some parts of the world but in the smaller and mid-sized cities. And larger cities, like London and Paris may be wise to devolve much of their work to more local boroughs and arrondissements as they already do.

	There is also an important lesson in this for the rapidly growing list of companies offering smart city services, which helps answer the question as to which cities offer the most exciting prospects, and what kinds of solutions they are most likely to be receptive to. The ‘smart city’ of the future may actually end up looking less like New York and more like the old York (population 200,000).		There is also an important lesson in this for the rapidly growing list of companies offering smart city services, which helps answer the question as to which cities offer the most exciting prospects, and what kinds of solutions they are most likely to be receptive to. The ‘smart city’ of the future may actually end up looking less like New York and more like the old York (population 200,000).

Designing Buildings at 14:09, 8 February 2016

2016-02-08T14:09:34Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:09, 8 February 2016
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	If we delve a bit deeper, we can start to see how different factors contribute to a smart city’s success. You might for example expect that effective smart governance would be easier in smallish cities where the leaders can more easily keep in touch with the real needs of citizens. And sure enough, smaller cities do appear more effective than larger ones in this regard, with cities in the range of 100,000 – 150,000 occupying the ‘golden spot’, and cities with over 300,000 generally ranking much lower.		If we delve a bit deeper, we can start to see how different factors contribute to a smart city’s success. You might for example expect that effective smart governance would be easier in smallish cities where the leaders can more easily keep in touch with the real needs of citizens. And sure enough, smaller cities do appear more effective than larger ones in this regard, with cities in the range of 100,000 – 150,000 occupying the ‘golden spot’, and cities with over 300,000 generally ranking much lower.

−	[[File:~~Ranking of smart cities governance~~.jpg]]	+	[[File:Ranking_of_smart_cities_governance.jpg\|link=File:Ranking_of_smart_cities_governance.jpg]]

	[image source: europeansmartcities and BSRIA]		[image source: europeansmartcities and BSRIA]
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	Interestingly, larger cities also come out worst when measuring smart mobility. The larger cities will of course typically face more serious challenges when it comes to managing congestion. Perhaps more surprisingly, the smallest cities also do less well than the average, perhaps because they have fewer resources to call upon:		Interestingly, larger cities also come out worst when measuring smart mobility. The larger cities will of course typically face more serious challenges when it comes to managing congestion. Perhaps more surprisingly, the smallest cities also do less well than the average, perhaps because they have fewer resources to call upon:

−	[[File:~~Measurement of smart cities mobility~~.jpg]]	+	[[File:Measurement_of_smart_cities_mobility.jpg\|link=File:Measurement_of_smart_cities_mobility.jpg]]

	[Image source: europeansmartcities and BSRIA]		[Image source: europeansmartcities and BSRIA]
Line 40:		Line 40:
	The survey also, by its very nature, focusses mostly on the biggest cities. It measures these against a series of criteria. For one of these – strength in research and development - there really do seem to be ‘economies of scale’.		The survey also, by its very nature, focusses mostly on the biggest cities. It measures these against a series of criteria. For one of these – strength in research and development - there really do seem to be ‘economies of scale’.

−	[[File:~~Smart cities strength in research and development~~.jpg]]	+	[[File:Smart_cities_strength_in_research_and_development.jpg\|link=File:Smart_cities_strength_in_research_and_development.jpg]]

	[Image source: Mori Memorial Foundation and BSRIA]		[Image source: Mori Memorial Foundation and BSRIA]
Line 78:		Line 78:
	* PAS 182 Smart city data concept model.		* PAS 182 Smart city data concept model.
	* Smart buildings.		* Smart buildings.
		+	* Smart cities.
	* Smart cities design timeframe.		* Smart cities design timeframe.
	* Smart construction.		* Smart construction.

Designing Buildings at 14:06, 8 February 2016

2016-02-08T14:06:49Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:06, 8 February 2016
Line 1:		Line 1:
	When it comes to smart technology, as elsewhere, we tend to abhor the average. Medium is often seen as a synonym for mediocrity. Could this be about to change?		When it comes to smart technology, as elsewhere, we tend to abhor the average. Medium is often seen as a synonym for mediocrity. Could this be about to change?
−
−

	Over the past 60 years BSRIA has become rather good at assessing the performance of building systems, which increasingly encompasses ‘smart’ buildings. This is despite the fact that buildings come in an almost limitless variety of ages, structures and functions, with the capabilities of building systems being similarly diverse. We know that a smart building will be one that uses technology to improve the efficiency, comfort, security and safety of a building in a cost-effective way, and most of these factors can, to some degree, be measured.		Over the past 60 years BSRIA has become rather good at assessing the performance of building systems, which increasingly encompasses ‘smart’ buildings. This is despite the fact that buildings come in an almost limitless variety of ages, structures and functions, with the capabilities of building systems being similarly diverse. We know that a smart building will be one that uses technology to improve the efficiency, comfort, security and safety of a building in a cost-effective way, and most of these factors can, to some degree, be measured.
−
−

	But what about smart cities? Over the past few years the term has become current. You can search online for the “smart” capabilities of almost any significant city and find plenty of interesting information and often a designated programme. But to make sense of this information, let alone to measure one city’s ‘smartness’ against another, you need to answer some fundamental questions:		But what about smart cities? Over the past few years the term has become current. You can search online for the “smart” capabilities of almost any significant city and find plenty of interesting information and often a designated programme. But to make sense of this information, let alone to measure one city’s ‘smartness’ against another, you need to answer some fundamental questions:
Line 14:		Line 10:

	None of these questions are trivial. Different factors may become more or less important over time. At a time of high energy prices and concern over climate change, use of smart solutions to improve energy efficiency will be key. If there are major concerns over cyber security or terrorist threats, then a smart city’s resilience against these will come to the fore. And in a financial crisis the ‘smart’ solutions will tend to be those which save most money.		None of these questions are trivial. Different factors may become more or less important over time. At a time of high energy prices and concern over climate change, use of smart solutions to improve energy efficiency will be key. If there are major concerns over cyber security or terrorist threats, then a smart city’s resilience against these will come to the fore. And in a financial crisis the ‘smart’ solutions will tend to be those which save most money.
−
−

	In an area of shifting sands a few organisations have attempted to put stakes into the ground. The [http://www.smart-cities.eu/ European Smart Cities initiative] supported by several academic institutions, including the Technische Universität Wien, ranks European cities against six key criteria:		In an area of shifting sands a few organisations have attempted to put stakes into the ground. The [http://www.smart-cities.eu/ European Smart Cities initiative] supported by several academic institutions, including the Technische Universität Wien, ranks European cities against six key criteria:
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	Each of these is in turn broken down into a number of factors. But how objective are the results?		Each of these is in turn broken down into a number of factors. But how objective are the results?
−
−

	Luxembourg, which comes top, just so happens to be the capital of the richest country in the world per capita. While the correlation between wealth and smart cities is strong, the causal relationship is less clear. How much of a rich city’s smart technology is contributing to the city’s wealth, and how much of it is ‘nice to have’ froth?		Luxembourg, which comes top, just so happens to be the capital of the richest country in the world per capita. While the correlation between wealth and smart cities is strong, the causal relationship is less clear. How much of a rich city’s smart technology is contributing to the city’s wealth, and how much of it is ‘nice to have’ froth?

		+	If we delve a bit deeper, we can start to see how different factors contribute to a smart city’s success. You might for example expect that effective smart governance would be easier in smallish cities where the leaders can more easily keep in touch with the real needs of citizens. And sure enough, smaller cities do appear more effective than larger ones in this regard, with cities in the range of 100,000 – 150,000 occupying the ‘golden spot’, and cities with over 300,000 generally ranking much lower.

−		+	[[File:Ranking of smart cities governance.jpg]]
−	~~If we delve a bit deeper, we can start to see how different factors contribute to a smart city’s success. You might for example expect that effective~~ smart governance would be easier in smallish cities where the leaders can more easily keep in touch with the real needs of citizens. And sure enough, smaller cities do appear more effective than larger ones in this regard, with cities in the range of 100,000 – 150,000 occupying the ‘golden spot’, and cities with over 300,000 generally ranking much lower.	+

	[image source: europeansmartcities and BSRIA]		[image source: europeansmartcities and BSRIA]
−
−
−
−

	Interestingly, larger cities also come out worst when measuring smart mobility. The larger cities will of course typically face more serious challenges when it comes to managing congestion. Perhaps more surprisingly, the smallest cities also do less well than the average, perhaps because they have fewer resources to call upon:		Interestingly, larger cities also come out worst when measuring smart mobility. The larger cities will of course typically face more serious challenges when it comes to managing congestion. Perhaps more surprisingly, the smallest cities also do less well than the average, perhaps because they have fewer resources to call upon:

−		+	[[File:Measurement of smart cities mobility.jpg]]

	[Image source: europeansmartcities and BSRIA]		[Image source: europeansmartcities and BSRIA]
−
−

	But surely there must be some areas where larger cities find it easier to be smart. One clue to this lies in another survey. The [http://www.mori-m-foundation.or.jp/english/ius2/gpci2/ Global Power City Index] (GPCI), published by the Mori Memorial Foundation is not about smart cities in the narrow sense rather it “evaluates and ranks the major cities of the world according to their “magnetism,” i.e. their comprehensive power which allows them to attract creative individuals and business enterprises from every continent and to mobilize their assets in securing economic, social and environmental development.”		But surely there must be some areas where larger cities find it easier to be smart. One clue to this lies in another survey. The [http://www.mori-m-foundation.or.jp/english/ius2/gpci2/ Global Power City Index] (GPCI), published by the Mori Memorial Foundation is not about smart cities in the narrow sense rather it “evaluates and ranks the major cities of the world according to their “magnetism,” i.e. their comprehensive power which allows them to attract creative individuals and business enterprises from every continent and to mobilize their assets in securing economic, social and environmental development.”
−
−

	The survey also, by its very nature, focusses mostly on the biggest cities. It measures these against a series of criteria. For one of these – strength in research and development - there really do seem to be ‘economies of scale’.		The survey also, by its very nature, focusses mostly on the biggest cities. It measures these against a series of criteria. For one of these – strength in research and development - there really do seem to be ‘economies of scale’.

−		+	[[File:Smart cities strength in research and development.jpg]]

	[Image source: Mori Memorial Foundation and BSRIA]		[Image source: Mori Memorial Foundation and BSRIA]
−
−

	Here we can see larger cities holding the advantage, especially New York, but also London, Los Angeles and Seoul. This reflects the tendency for technical expertise to cluster in cities and regions where companies and employees feed off each other. Significantly, the only poorly performing larger cities are all in emerging economies, and so could be expected to ‘mature’ over time.		Here we can see larger cities holding the advantage, especially New York, but also London, Los Angeles and Seoul. This reflects the tendency for technical expertise to cluster in cities and regions where companies and employees feed off each other. Significantly, the only poorly performing larger cities are all in emerging economies, and so could be expected to ‘mature’ over time.
−
−

	The same survey, unsurprisingly, shows the bigger cities performing markedly less well environmentally, and perhaps more surprisingly, slightly less well in overall economic capability.		The same survey, unsurprisingly, shows the bigger cities performing markedly less well environmentally, and perhaps more surprisingly, slightly less well in overall economic capability.
−
−

	Much of this confirms what we might have predicted, and clearly size is only one of a number of factors in the smart city, and not in any way decisive. Nonetheless, when we are looking at how best to develop smart cities where we want to live and work, it does have implications.		Much of this confirms what we might have predicted, and clearly size is only one of a number of factors in the smart city, and not in any way decisive. Nonetheless, when we are looking at how best to develop smart cities where we want to live and work, it does have implications.
−
−

	Humans are heavily influenced by scale. Research has confirmed that organisations function best in groups of 150 maximum. Could it be that about 100-150,000 is the ‘optimum’ size for planning a smart city? If so, there are important implications. The answer may lie not in the mega cities that we are seeing in some parts of the world but in the smaller and mid-sized cities. And larger cities, like London and Paris may be wise to devolve much of their work to more local boroughs and arrondissements as they already do.		Humans are heavily influenced by scale. Research has confirmed that organisations function best in groups of 150 maximum. Could it be that about 100-150,000 is the ‘optimum’ size for planning a smart city? If so, there are important implications. The answer may lie not in the mega cities that we are seeing in some parts of the world but in the smaller and mid-sized cities. And larger cities, like London and Paris may be wise to devolve much of their work to more local boroughs and arrondissements as they already do.