Smart City: How do you live in a Smart City? | Future Smart City Projects | Surveillance or Utopia?

Summary

The video script explores the concept of smart cities, which utilize big data, the Internet of Things, and 5G to tackle urban challenges like traffic, pollution, and energy consumption. It discusses the benefits, such as efficient resource use and improved public services, and the concerns, including surveillance and data privacy. The role of citizens in shaping these cities and the importance of data utilities for ethical data management are highlighted, along with the need for robust cybersecurity measures to protect against potential cyber threats.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The city of the future is envisioned as a smart, interconnected entity that uses technology to regulate traffic, save energy, and fight crime, supported by big data and the Internet of Things.
• 📈 Smart cities aim to address the challenges of increasing urban populations, such as traffic congestion, pollution, energy consumption, water usage, and waste management.
• 🌳 Projects for smart cities are emerging globally, including in Nigeria, South Korea, India, and Malaysia, with the goal of creating a livable city that can 'think' for itself.
• 🚗 Technology in smart cities includes smart poles for broadband, driverless cars for reduced accidents, and drones and robots for delivery services.
• 🌱 Innovations like urban farms growing salads underground and augmented reality for efficiency improvements are part of the smart city vision.
• 📱 The new mobile communication standard 5G is crucial as it enables the large-scale interconnected infrastructures needed for the Internet of Things.
• 🤖 Yonas Boom, a researcher at the University of St. Gallen, emphasizes that the goal of a smart city is to improve people's lives, starting with understanding what citizens want.
• 🔍 Making a city smart involves interconnecting devices, collecting data, and analyzing it to find solutions for citizens, which can include smart lighting and pollution control.
• 🏙️ Benefits of smart cities include more efficient use of resources, reduced waste, and increased citizen engagement in city planning, as seen in cities like Santander and Helsinki.
• 🔒 Data protection is a significant concern in smart cities, where vast amounts of data are collected. The challenge is to balance the need for data with privacy and security.
• 👥 Data utilities are proposed as a solution to manage data in smart cities, ensuring that data is handled responsibly and access is controlled for the benefit of all stakeholders.
• 🌍 The script raises questions about surveillance and data sovereignty, highlighting the need for responsible solutions that prioritize citizen interests and privacy.

Q & A

What are the primary challenges faced by cities as the urban population increases?

The primary challenges include increased traffic, pollution, energy consumption, water usage, and waste management.

What is the concept of a smart city and how does it aim to address urban challenges?

A smart city is an interconnected urban environment that uses technology, big data, and the Internet of Things to regulate traffic, save energy, fight crime, and improve overall efficiency and livability.

What is the role of 5G in the development of smart cities?

5G serves as the engine for the Internet of Things, enabling interconnected infrastructures on a large scale and facilitating the communication necessary for smart city operations.

Who is Yonas Bom and what contribution has he made to the field of smart cities?

Yonas Bom is a researcher at the Institute for Technology Management at the University of St. Gallen. He has published a book with guidelines for cities that want to become smart, focusing on improving people's lives.

What are the technical preconditions for making a city smart?

The technical preconditions include making the city interconnected by adding sensors, collecting data, and analyzing it to find solutions for citizens.

How do smart cities benefit citizens in terms of resource efficiency and environmental impact?

Smart cities can save taxes by using resources more efficiently, such as only irrigating public spaces when needed, emptying garbage bins when full, and reducing noise and pollution through underground waste collection points.

What is the concept of 'data utilities' and how do they relate to smart cities?

Data utilities are publicly financed, independent organizations that manage, process, and control access to data in a smart city. They ensure that personal data is anonymized and provide a platform for various entities to develop smart city solutions.

How does the smart city of Santander in Spain utilize technology to save resources?

Santander uses sensors to monitor public spaces and garbage bins, irrigating only when necessary and emptying bins only when full, thus saving resources and taxes.

What is the potential downside of smart cities in terms of privacy and surveillance?

Smart cities collect vast amounts of data on citizens, which can lead to privacy concerns and surveillance issues. It raises questions about who ensures data safety and who has access to it.

How does the city of Helsinki address waste management in a smart city context?

In Helsinki, garbage trucks have been replaced by an underground waste collection system, which reduces noise and pollution in the city.

What measures does Estonia take to protect itself against cyber threats in the context of digital administration?

Estonia conducts annual international training on fighting cyberattacks, organized by NATO's cyber defense hub, involving over 20 nations, military, and tech companies.

Outlines

00:00

🌆 Smart Cities: The Future of Urban Living

The script introduces the concept of smart cities, which are highly interconnected and use technology like big data and the Internet of Things to manage traffic, save energy, and combat crime. It raises questions about the balance between a utopian vision and a potential surveillance state. The goal of smart cities is to improve the lives of citizens by addressing urban challenges like traffic, pollution, and resource consumption. The script highlights the importance of 5G technology as the foundation for these interconnected systems and mentions Yonas Bom, a researcher who has provided guidelines for cities aiming to become smart. It emphasizes the need for citizen input to shape the development of smart cities.

05:01

🔍 Data and Privacy in Smart Cities

This paragraph delves into the practical aspects of building a smart city, focusing on the collection and analysis of data through sensors and interconnected devices. It discusses the potential benefits, such as efficient resource use and improved public services, as well as the challenges related to data privacy and security. The script mentions various global examples of smart city initiatives and the importance of data utilities for managing data access and protection. It also touches on the debate over data sovereignty and the role of corporations versus public control in smart city development, advocating for citizen empowerment over their own data.

10:01

🛡️ Cybersecurity and the Challenges of Smart City Infrastructure

The final paragraph addresses the cybersecurity concerns inherent in smart city infrastructure, where connected devices can become potential targets for hackers. It contrasts the convenience and efficiency of smart city technology with the risks of cyberattacks and the need for ongoing security measures. The script highlights Estonia as a model for digital administration and its proactive approach to cybersecurity, involving international training to combat cyber threats. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of responsible control over applications and data ownership in the interest of citizens, inviting viewers to consider their own preferences and join the discussion on the future of urban living.

Keywords

💡Smart Cities

Smart Cities are urban areas that utilize advanced technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, and analytics, to improve the quality of life for residents. In the video, smart cities are presented as a solution to the challenges of urbanization, such as traffic, pollution, and energy consumption. Examples include smart poles for broadband connectivity and driverless cars to reduce accidents.

💡Internet of Things (IoT)

The Internet of Things refers to the network of physical devices, vehicles, and other items embedded with sensors that enable them to connect and exchange data. In the context of the video, IoT is integral to smart cities, enabling devices like streetlights and driverless cars to communicate and function more efficiently.

💡Big Data

Big Data is a term used to describe the large volume of data that smart cities generate. It is analyzed to uncover patterns and insights that can be used to improve city services and infrastructure. The video mentions big data as a key component in the functioning of smart cities, with examples of how it can be used to optimize resource use and improve public services.

💡5G

5G is the fifth generation of mobile communication standard, which offers faster internet speeds and lower latency. In the video, 5G is highlighted as the engine for IoT, enabling interconnected infrastructures on a large scale, which is essential for the operation of smart cities.

💡Data Protection

Data Protection refers to the measures taken to secure and safeguard personal and sensitive information. The video discusses the importance of data protection in smart cities, where the collection of vast amounts of data raises concerns about privacy and security. It also mentions the need for careful handling of data to ensure the safety and privacy of citizens.

💡Data Utilities

Data Utilities are proposed as publicly financed, independent organizations that manage, process, and control access to data in smart cities. The video suggests that data utilities could be a solution to the issue of data sovereignty, allowing for the responsible use of data while ensuring that citizens benefit from it.

💡Surveillance

Surveillance in the context of smart cities refers to the monitoring of public spaces and activities through technology. The video raises the question of whether the level of surveillance in smart cities is a brave new world or a surveillance nightmare, highlighting the potential for privacy invasion and the need for balance.

💡Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting networks, devices, and data from digital attacks. The video discusses the importance of cybersecurity in smart cities, where interconnected devices can be potential gateways for hackers. It also mentions Estonia as an example of a country that has implemented measures to protect against cyberattacks.

💡Data Sovereignty

Data Sovereignty is the concept of having control over one's data and deciding how it is used. In the video, concerns are raised about data sovereignty, particularly when it comes to corporations like Alphabet, which may use collected data for profit rather than the benefit of the citizens.

💡Smart Poles

Smart Poles are an example of IoT devices in smart cities. They are equipped with sensors and connectivity to provide services such as broadband internet and traffic regulation. The video uses smart poles as an example of how technology can be integrated into urban infrastructure to create a more efficient and connected city.

💡Facial Recognition

Facial Recognition is a technology that can identify or verify a person from a digital image or video frame. The video mentions the use of facial recognition in smart cities, such as in Dubai, where police robots equipped with cameras can identify individuals for safety purposes.

Highlights

The city of the future is envisioned as smart and interconnected, utilizing big data and the Internet of Things to regulate traffic, save energy, and fight crime.

Smart cities are emerging globally to address challenges like traffic, pollution, energy consumption, and waste management.

Tech companies and urban planners imagine smart cities with smart poles, driverless cars, drones for deliveries, and urban farms.

The central role of 5G in enabling interconnected infrastructures on a large scale for the Internet of Things is emphasized.

Yonas Boom, a researcher, offers guidelines for cities to become smart, focusing on improving people's lives.

Citizens' input is crucial for designing a smart city that meets their demands and expectations.

Making a city smart involves interconnecting devices, collecting data, and assessing it to find solutions for citizens.

Smart cities can save taxes and improve resource efficiency, as seen in Santander, Spain, with sensor-assisted irrigation and waste management.

In Helsinki, waste management has been revolutionized with the elimination of garbage trucks in favor of underground waste collection points.

Rio de Janeiro uses a smartphone app to engage residents in shaping their surroundings and voting on city planning ideas.

Palo Alto has implemented parking lot sensors that notify citizens of available spaces, improving traffic flow.

Dubai is integrating smart robocops equipped with facial recognition technology to enhance public safety.

In Rehoboth, Ukraine, citizens can monitor civil servant incomes and political voting records to combat corruption.

Darmstadt, Germany uses interconnected sensors to assess and report air quality, addressing pollution concerns.

Data protection in smart cities is a complex issue, with the need for careful handling of vast amounts of citizen data.

Data utilities are proposed as publicly financed, independent organizations to manage and control data access.

The DECODE project by the European Union aims to empower individuals to control their data, promoting data as a public infrastructure.

Shenzhen, China exemplifies surveillance in smart cities with taxi cameras for safety, raising questions about privacy.

Cybersecurity is highlighted as a critical concern for smart cities, with Estonia's experience serving as a case study.

The debate over who controls applications and owns data in smart cities is crucial for finding responsible solutions.

Transcripts

the city of the future is smart it's

entirely interconnected will regulate

traffic save energy fight crime

assisted by big data and the Internet of

Things brave new world or rather a

surveillance nightmare

what can smart cities look like and to

be really want to live there

our topic today on shift more than half

of the world's population lives in

cities and this number is steadily

rising resulting in enormous challenges

more people more traffic more pollution

more energy consumption more water usage

more waste smart cities are supposed to

help cope with these problems projects

are popping up everywhere

for instance in Nigeria South Korea

India or Malaysia a livable city that

can think for itself how does this work

like this for example visions of the

future this is a smart city as imagined

by tech companies and urban planners

regular streetlights are replaced by

smart poles which connect to other

Internet of Things devices and provide

broadband thanks to driverless cars

accidents hardly ever happen and drones

and robots deliver goods even coffee in

this future city salad grows underground

at the urban farm

augmented and virtual reality make

processes more efficient one example is

that firefighters on duty can be

assisted by the control center and tech

helps to find and correct system errors

to prevent damage before it happens

sounds fantastic but in order for these

ideas to become reality

technical preconditions are essential a

central role Falls to the new mobile

communication standard 5g it's the

engine for the Internet of Things and

enables interconnected infrastructures

on a grand scale an expert on smart

cities is yonas boom he's a researcher

at the institute for technology

management at the University of st.

Gallen and has published a book with

guidelines for cities that want to

become smart we wanted to know how do I

make a city smart and why we want to

improve people's lives that's how I

would summarize the goal of a smart city

in order to do this it's important for

citizens to be able to properly explain

what kind of city they'd like to live in

that's the starting point and we can

begin designing a smart city based on

those demands imagine you're the mayor

of a city and want to turn it into a

smart city you'd have to consider the

following

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first you need to make your city

interconnected by adding sensors that

collect data for instance two cars or

streetlights to be able to regulate

traffic or two measuring stations

stationed throughout the town that

measure pollution levels the smart city

is usually a combination of the

different urban systems that we have for

the most part that means Mobility

Systems housing systems administrative

systems energy systems education systems

and so on

anything affecting citizens in their

everyday lives can be assigned a digital

Shadow

divita and Shotton for the environment

but simply collecting data is

insufficient big data is no end in

itself data needs to be prepared and

analyzed based on this small solutions

for your city can be found streetlights

that only illuminate once someone is

close or automatic driving restrictions

when the air is heavily polluted

anything is possible in your

interconnected smart city

to build a smart city one must do three

things connect devices collect data and

assess this data to find solution for

the citizens but how do I benefit from

the smart city here are some answers in

Santander Spain the city saves taxes by

using resources more efficiently with

the help of sensors public spaces are

only irrigated when they're too dry

garbage bins are only emptied once

they're full in Helsinki garbage trucks

have become obsolete waste is

transferred to underground collection

points without noise or pollution in Rio

de Janeiro a smartphone app is enabling

residents to shape their surroundings

the app smart favela creates a

three-dimensional avatar of the shanty

towns when city planners come up with

new ideas these can be looked at on the

app and then citizens can vote on them

in Palo Alto in the US parking lots now

have sensors these notify citizens

whenever a parking space is free the

city's traffic is constantly recorded

smart robo cops are supposed to make

Dubai safer the police robots are

equipped with cameras and can find

persons through facial recognition tech

reports can be filed on a touchpad in

Rehoboth Ukraine citizens can view the

incomes of civil servants and check on

how politicians have voted in the City

Council city owned businesses lay bare

their accounts using open data in the

fight against corruption in Darmstadt

Germany interconnected sensors assess

the air quality and send this

information to a data center which

analyzes air pollution and if necessary

reports bad air quality in order for

these systems to work vast amounts of

data on all citizens are required but

who ensures that the data is safe and

who has access to it

different solutions exist data is

essential for a smart city it provides

the basis for designing intelligent

applications for the city but what about

data protection

to be clear in a smart city there is no

protection from data being collected but

on the other hand it's precisely this

data that provides the basis for

implementing and controlling the city

system as a result very careful and

conscientious decisions need to be made

regarding how the data is handled if the

city controls data this can be

advantageous when it comes to data

protection but most cities lack the

technical expertise to process and

analyze the data for this reason many

cities cooperate with big tech companies

they have the capacity and the

algorithms needed to work with data

masses like Google sidewalk labs belongs

to the alphabet' corporation it will

construct an entire district of Toronto

with the newest technology of course but

the data sovereignty stays with

corporations like alphabet which is

problematic as they use our data to make

money an entire city state and naturally

offers many opportunities so what to do

experts argue for so-called data

utilities these are publicly financed

but independent organizations they

manage process and control access to

data anyone interested in developing

smart city solutions could use them no

matter if city owned business local

startup or big tech company a promising

approach I think everyone should be able

to profit from farm data in data

utilities personal data is anonymized as

a citizen I cannot influence which data

of mine is being used though decode a

project by the European Union goes even

further it aims to empower individuals

to control their data citizens

themselves should decide whether

personal information stays private or if

it's being shared in order to make the

city smarter

pilot projects have been running in

Amsterdam and Barcelona since 2018 we

believe that data should be understood

as a public infrastructure as a common

good like water like electricity like

transportation like the air we breathe

they also believe that citizens can

responsibly deal with their own data a

desirable goal citizens should be in

charge of their own data once private

corporations or governments control data

in the smart City where do you draw the

line

when it comes to surveillance an example

from Shenzhen China taxi headquarters in

Shenzhen China the red cars are occupied

the green cars are waiting for customers

algorithms use ride histories to predict

which areas are likely to have a lot of

customers and when drivers can then

directly head to these locations like

mr. Chen his car is part of the network

consisting of around 20,000 taxis in

Shenzhen and it's equipped with an

interior camera meaning the taxi

headquarters can watch him work and

listen in on all conversations

in the beginning I was uncomfortable as

I didn't really know much about it and

felt constantly observed but actually

there's no reason for concern the

cameras protect the customers and us

drivers too and privacy is ensured as

not everyone can view the videos

according to the taxi headquarters all

data is well protected and deleted after

72 hours they say the system is great

for educating drivers and the footage

can be used to settle conflicts or

complaints the taxi provider also says

customers complain less frequently and

that most like the cameras as do drivers

who are now less worried about being

threatened but the police also has

access to the videos how freely will

people really converse in the taxis

another problem smart street lamps

parking lot sensors or garbage bins are

connected to the Internet and offer

potential gateways for hackers

theoretically one weak link is all it

takes to shut down the city's central

servers and cyber terrorists could go

even further

Estonia demonstrates how to protect

oneself in terms of digital

administration Estonia leads the way in

Europe

Estonians can vote online and almost all

public services are digitally accessible

but this also increases vulnerability in

2007 Estonia was targeted by

cyberattacks from a global network of

connected BOTS or botnet both online

banking and government websites were

affected in response Estonia has

implemented annual international

training on fighting attacks from

hackers they are organized by NATO's

cyber defense hub and over 20 nations

the military and tech companies take

part

questions not will we got to hit with

the cyber cyber attack the question is

when you will get hit with a cyber

attack cybersecurity is not something

you can do once because the threat

vector and threat landscape are changing

everyday cybersecurity is also crucial

for smart cities they are becoming a

steadily increasing economic factor tech

companies use smart cities around the

world to test their future technologies

the big question is does this benefit

the citizens two points are of

importance to me who controls the

applications and who owns the data we

need to find responsible solutions in

the citizen's interest what's your

opinion would you like to live this way

how smart is your city join the

discussion I'm looking forward to your

feedback bye for now and see you next

time

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