smart city
Data-driven urban area
A smart city uses digital technology and data collection to improve urban infrastructure, services, and quality of life.
Sensors, networks, and analytics monitor everything from traffic flow and energy use to air quality and public safety, allowing city systems to respond in real time.
Singapore is often cited as a model smart city.
The concept promises efficiency gains but raises concerns about surveillance and data privacy.
Interconnected smart device ecosystem
- AISimulated cognitive processing
- big dataEnormous datasets analyzed computationally
- cloud computingInternet-delivered digital infrastructure
- data analyticsExamining information for patterns
machine learning · 5G · cybersecurity · blockchain · digital twin · edge computing · automation · e-governance
Mass-to-volume ratio
- transit-orientedPrioritizing mass transportation access
- walkabilityFoot-travel suitability rating
- mixed-useCombining different functions
- livabilityResidential quality of place
congestion · commute · downtown · district · neighborhood · public space · placemaking · housing
Active citizenship in community
- transparencyState of being see-through
- open governmentRight to state information
- digital servicesOnline-delivered business solutions
- privacyFreedom from observation
regulation · urban planning · zoning · equity · inclusion · accountability · digital divide · consent
Devices that detect input
- traffic managementControlling vehicle movement patterns
- streetlightsRoadside night illumination
- waste managementRefuse collection and disposal
- public transitShared community vehicle system
bike-sharing · broadband · fiber optics · mesh network · surveillance · emergency response · digital kiosks · accessibility
Motor transport needing no human
- hyperloopSealed tube transport system
- predictive policingAlgorithm-guided law enforcement deployment
- digital identityOnline representation of you
- cashlessNot using physical money
Self-replenishing natural power
- solar panelsLight-converting power generators
- carbon-neutralNet-zero emissions state
- energy efficiencyMinimizing wasted power
- green buildingsSustainably designed architecture
rainwater harvesting · waste reduction · climate adaptation · microgrids · urban farming · circular economy · resilience · flood management
IoT
Interconnected smart device ecosystem
- AISimulated cognitive processing
- big dataEnormous datasets analyzed computationally
- cloud computingInternet-delivered digital infrastructure
data analytics · machine learning · 5G · cybersecurity · blockchain · digital twin · edge computing · automation · e-governance · open data
density
Mass-to-volume ratio
- transit-orientedPrioritizing mass transportation access
- walkabilityFoot-travel suitability rating
- mixed-useCombining different functions
livability · congestion · commute · downtown · district · neighborhood · public space · placemaking · housing · quality of life
civic engagement
Active citizenship in community
- transparencyState of being see-through
- open governmentRight to state information
- digital servicesOnline-delivered business solutions
privacy · regulation · urban planning · zoning · equity · inclusion · accountability · digital divide · consent · policy
sensors
Devices that detect input
- traffic managementControlling vehicle movement patterns
- streetlightsRoadside night illumination
- waste managementRefuse collection and disposal
public transit · bike-sharing · broadband · fiber optics · mesh network · surveillance · emergency response · digital kiosks · accessibility · real-time monitoring
autonomous vehicles
Motor transport needing no human
- hyperloopSealed tube transport system
- predictive policingAlgorithm-guided law enforcement deployment
- digital identityOnline representation of you
renewable energy
Self-replenishing natural power
- solar panelsLight-converting power generators
- carbon-neutralNet-zero emissions state
- energy efficiencyMinimizing wasted power
green buildings · rainwater harvesting · waste reduction · climate adaptation · microgrids · urban farming · circular economy · resilience · flood management · net-zero
- Innovation Hubsinnovation hub, innovation center, innovation lab, tech hub, startup hub
- Futurismjetpacks, holograms, robots, androids, cyborgs
- tech trendsAI, digital transformation, 5G, VR, AR
- urban innovationgreen roof, bike share, urban farm, tech hub, incubator
- tech utopiarobot servants, automation, post-scarcity, clean energy, fusion power
- civic techcivic engagement, e-government, e-governance, open data, open government
smart cityoff-grid community
Settlement independent of utilities
informal settlement · slum · shantytown · favela · village
smart cityinformal settlement
Unplanned, unofficial housing area
slum · shantytown · favela
smart cityrural village
Small countryside settlement
rural area · countryside · remote hamlet · isolated community · wilderness
smart, city, citizen, smarts, cities, smarting, smartest, smarty, smarter