A quantum leap in the development of technology has been seen over recent years. The convergence of rapid technological advancements and urban planning is driving an evolution of human behaviour, and encouraging us to reconsider the way that we communicate, live, work and play. Such advances are infiltrating the way in which modern cities work. A fully integrated, intelligent and adaptive city infrastructure that can provide a whole range of demand-responsive services and real-time incident management capabilities is an eye-catching prospect, but how do we continue to embrace the opportunities this presents for generations to come?

A ‘smart city’ is an urban area that uses a whole spectrum of electronic data collection to gain information. This information is used to manage assets, services and resources effectively, efficiently and economically. This includes data collected from citizens and their network of smart devices – the Internet of Things (IoT). This data is then processed and analysed to monitor and manage traffic and transportation systems, water supply networks and waste management as well as other services that are fundamental to the day-to-day operation of society.