The concept of smart cities is an upcoming typology in community architecture. They represent the fusion of technology and urban development. They aim at enhancing efficiency, sustainability and quality of life. These cities use data analytics, IoT sensors and connectivity to optimize various aspects of urban living. This means digitalizing transportation, energy use, waste management and public services. The term smart cities can be classified as Greenfield and Brownfield. Greenfield cities are planned and built from scratch on undeveloped or barren land like deserts or reclaimed land. Brownfield Cities involve retrofitting existing infrastructure with intelligent technologies that enhance liveability and sustainability.
What are the Features of Greenfield Smart Cities?
Smart cities around the world like Masdar City in UAE, AURIC in Aurangabad, and NEOM in Saudi Arabia are working towards the integration of advanced technologies like IoT (Internet of Things), and AI (Artificial Intelligence) in urban planning and services. Each city emphasizes sustainability incorporating renewable energy resources, green building practices and efficient waste management systems. These cities are situated in different regions leading to variations in climate, culture and regulatory frameworks that influence their development. While most countries are thinking about smart cities in the traditional spread-out layout, Saudi Arabia is one step ahead and has started excavations for “The Line” a project they envision as a linear city spanning 170 KM and a width of just 200 M.
Smart city projects around the globe receive capital directly through the government or investments done by private companies. They also create opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship as people may be drawn to the prospect of leveraging smart city infrastructure. Moreover, the format of these cities may offer access to supportive networks, funding opportunities and collaborative spaces giving birth to a vibrant startup culture.
What are the Features of Brownfield Smart Cities?
Brownfield smart cities are leveraging existing urban infrastructure and resources to foster sustainable development and innovation. They are focusing on revitalization by integrating advanced technologies to enhance efficiency, mobility and quality of life. Many cities around the world are gradually implementing Smart City interventions. Copenhagen started implementing smart city initiatives in the early 2000s. The city is working towards carbon neutrality by 2025, along with the development of a greener, more sustainable urban landscape while also strengthening economic growth. Amsterdam (Netherlands), Bangalore (India) and Barcelona (Spain) started initiating smart city development modules in the subsequent years. Examples include the smart parking system in Amsterdam, Bangalore’s smart transportation system and Barcelona’s smart lighting system. Of course, installing smart digital services in established cities is a challenge in itself. Not all cities will have up-to-date IT systems that will integrate with newer technologies. Greenfield Smart cities may emerge as primary contenders for a new definition of a city, while Brownfield cities will continue to progress steadily.
Brownfield Smart Cities: Slow and Steady Wins the Race?
Despite their gradual progress, this typology of smart cities may prove to be more successful in the long run. These interventions do not hamper the existing cultural ecosystem while still providing the necessary infrastructure for a better quality of life. Installing advanced infrastructure in existing urban fabric is in itself a challenging task. It requires precise planning and skillful execution.
An argument posited is that brownfield developments may not qualify as contenders for the future of architecture due to their integration with pre-existing infrastructure. However, it can’t be forgotten that brownfield smart cities provide an opportunity to preserve the cultural heritage while also optimizing resource use. They strive to create vibrant mixed-use communities, which greenfield cities are highly susceptible to lack.
Are Smart Cities the Future of Urban Architecture?
Brownfield city interventions are increasingly becoming the norm, raising questions about the potential success of greenfield smart cities as a novel urban model. While the success or failure of brownfield smart city interventions is evident in a shorter period, speculation is underway on the success of greenfield smart city projects. These projects are either in their planning stage or just the first phase of execution. Projects like Songdo (South Korea) and Masdar(UAE) have completed a few stages of completion and continue to expand their infrastructure.
Along with the positive aspects of greenfield cities such as localised services, efficient resource management, advanced transportation and digital connectivity, certain negative repercussions can’t be overlooked. Differences in proficiency with technology may lead to a socio-economic divide among residents. Smart city infrastructure which relies heavily on interconnected digital systems also makes it vulnerable to cyber attacks and data breaches. This may be a threat to the residents’ data as well as government data. Moreover, excessive dependency on technology and loss of human connection are subsequent drawbacks of such a community. Moreover, the residential amenities purportedly offered by these cities are likely to cater to a high-end demographic. Consequently, individuals may opt for employment within these cities while choosing alternative residential locations.
Smart Cities: A Success or Failure?
Apart from the materialistic drawbacks which the cities are most likely to face, the biggest issue is that they might fail to create vibrant cultures for people to thrive in. Prototyped as a secluded high-tech city, they are unknowingly (or knowingly) stepping far away from culturally rich cities. Along with architecture, infrastructure and economy, culture is a key element of a city’s identity. Each of the Smart cities has emerged as a prototype for what is achievable in terms of architecture and infrastructure; however, they seem to be lacking a significant cultural aspect. By and large, all the projects tend to focus on technology and sustainability, which poses the risk of monotony. The success of smart cities will not only revolutionize urban planning and architecture but also redefine sustainability and sustainable living. Yet amidst this unfolding revolution, only time can convey the final resolution!
References:
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- Inst, M.G. (2018) Smart from the start: 6 examples of Greenfield Smart city projects from around the Globe, Medium. Available at: https://medium.com/mckinsey-global-institute/smart-from-the-start-6-examples-of-greenfield-smart-city-projects-from-around-the-globe-2db82ac702e9 (Accessed: 18 February 2024).
- Robbins , J. (2021) Why the luster on once-vaunted ‘smart cities’ is fading, Yale E360. Available at: https://e360.yale.edu/features/why-the-luster-is-fading-on-once-vaunted-smart-cities (Accessed: 18 February 2024).
- Halbe, R., Young, N. and Foster + Partners (n.d.). Masdar Institute Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates- 2010. [website] Available at: https://rolandhalbe.eu/portfolio/masdar-institute-by-foster/ [Accessed 17 Feb. 2024].
- +IMK Architects and INHABITAT (2021). Past and future come together at the sustainable Auric Hall. [Online blog] Available at: https://inhabitat.com/past-and-future-come-together-at-the-sustainable-auric-hall/ [Accessed 17 Feb. 2024].
- NEOM (2023). Neom City: A Vision of the Future in Saudi Arabia. [Online Blog] Available at: https://hamzista.com/blogs/f/neom-city-a-vision-of-the-future-in-saudi-arabia [Accessed 17 Feb. 2024].
- Adarsh Developers (2019). With tunnelling to begin soon, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation makes headway to ensure building safety. [Online Blog] Available at: https://www.adarshdevelopers.com/blog/with-tunnelling-to-begin-soon-bangalore-metro-rail-corporation-makes-headway-to-ensure-building-safety/ [Accessed 18 Feb. 2024].
