In various posts on this blog, we've already talked to you about smart urban planning and the smart cities, but do you know what it really entails? How can we put it into practice?
The concept goes far beyond simply creating cities committed to the environment or the responsible use of resources. When we use this term, we are also referring to an approach to the planning and development of urban centers. These centers are designed to promote work-life balance, social interactions, and, ultimately, create environments that foster the development and integration of all the people who live there.
This is why smart urban planning requires, among other measures, the involvement of governments, companies, and professionals from a wide variety of fields. These range from engineers and architects to sociologists, as well as professionals in health, transportation, and many other fields.
To understand this better, let's take a look at the cornerstones that any place committed to the smart urban planning.
Fundamental pillars of smart urban planning:
- Sustainable Use of Resources, reducing its dependence on the most polluting energy sources. This has three direct implications: cost savings, a reduced carbon footprint, and an improved quality of life for residents.
- Implementation of Transportation Systems urban solutions that address the needs of each individual. A defining feature of these cities is their commitment to ensuring the smooth coexistence of pedestrians, vehicles, bicycles, and public transportation. Furthermore, they are committed to creating the necessary infrastructure to provide charging stations for electric vehicles and to promote the use of zero-emission public transportation.
- Promoting Cultural Progress by involving all citizens. It seeks to ensure access to culture for everyone living in these communities, which is why it strives to provide them with the necessary facilities.
- Reuse of Spaces. If one of the main goals of smart urban planning is the sustainable use of resources, it stands to reason that this must involve the reuse of spaces. Furthermore, it seeks to make the most of these spaces, always taking into account the nature of each one.
- Access to all services. As one would expect, one of the fundamental pillars is ensuring that everyone has access to basic services. To achieve this, it must make all the necessary resources available to them. These services include healthcare and transportation, but also access to the internet, innovation, and new technological applications.
- Facilitate communication between citizens and the government. In cities or urban centers operating under the umbrella of smart urban planning, barriers that prevent two-way communication between citizens and the government must be eliminated. To this end, the use of new platforms, such as social media, can be a great ally.
Based on all of the above, we could define the concept in question as the set of techniques and methodologies applied in urban development to transform cities into true centers of integration with the environment and society, taking advantage of new technologies and sustainable energy sources.
These new fields present new opportunities for professionals who are able to envision and understand how to leverage technology to serve cities. For all these reasons, engineers have endless opportunities before them that they can and should take advantage of to specialize in meeting the needs of the future.
