BROADBAND COMMUNITIES is the leading source of information on digital and broadband technologies for buildings and communities. Our editorial aims to accelerate the deployment of Fiber-To-The-Home and Fiber-To-The-Premises.
Issue link: https://bbcmag.epubxp.com/i/438104
72 | BROADBAND COMMUNITIES | www.broadbandcommunities.com | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT U rban areas are undergoing a transformation from industrial centers to smart cities. Although various defnitions of smart cities exist – some focus on futuristic applications, others on integrated systems that lead to a smarter use of resources – common elements include the use of information technology and broadband to promote innovations that result in more sustainable, economically competitive and livable cities. In addition to the technology components, human and social concerns are important elements of the dialogue. In the long history of human settlements, the smart city is a relatively new phenomenon. It raises a novel set of issues that city planners, engineers and public ofcials must address. Municipal leaders are just beginning to engage in policy discussions regarding the implications of these new technologies. Te American Planning Association (APA), a professional organization for city planners that has more than 30,000 members nationwide, is at the forefront of this dialogue. APA recognizes that professional planners are uniquely qualifed to provide leadership in defning, analyzing and debating the issues of sustainability, inclusion and integration of place-based strategies in the broader discussion of smart cities. To facilitate this discussion, the APA created a Smart Cities and Sustainability Task Force whose mission is to "address advances in technology and innovation to cultivate cities which are smarter, more resilient and sustainable." SMART-CITY COMPONENTS Te frst generation of smart-city technologies, just recently adopted, represents a wide range of applications. Innovations are being introduced at a dizzying pace. A sampling of these applications includes • smart devices and sensors embedded in roadways, power grids, buildings and other assets to provide data that can be used to design more efcient and integrated urban systems • smart communications systems that use wired and wireless technologies for real- time monitoring of utilities, buildings and infrastructure systems and for remote operations that automatically adjust systems to environmental factors Smart Cities and Broadband The smart-city movement is a new approach to making cities more livable, sustainable and competitive. Smart-city applications depend on broadband infrastructure, so broadband advocates need to get involved in the planning process. By Kathleen McMahon / Applied Communications Don't miss Kathleen McMahon's workshop on planning and broadband at the BroadBand Communities summit in Austin, April 14–16.