Do We Really Need Smart Cities?

Migration from rural areas to urban areas is increasing day by day in the world. According to the report of the United Nations, by 2030, more than 70 percent of people are expected to live in cities. Large-scale urbanization creates a need for cities to become smarter.

Various solutions were needed for the problems arising from the unplanned crowding of cities. Clean and renewable energy, water management, smart grids, smart lighting, smart traffic control, urban mobility solutions and waste management are examples of these solutions. These solutions, which emerged in order to overcome urban problems, have revealed the concept of smart city in time.

Smart city can be defined as the city equipped with the technological infrastructure needed to provide a good quality of life.

Many developed countries around the world have announced their vision on smart cities. All of the work done encourages the adoption of smart solutions for the proper use of resources and infrastructure in line with the smart city mission.

Throughout human history, the management of natural resources, environmental conditions, industrial policies and economy have shaped the cities and directly affected modern city life. The problems that arise with urbanization are not limited to the management of public services. The crowding of cities and consequently increasing consumption creates big problems in the management of limited resources.

Crowding of cities is not good for the city itself or for people. Problems such as increased pollution levels, decreased water supply and sewerage problems in cities can be solved with the smart city approach.

It is a fact that we need smart cities to solve the problems that arise in crowded cities. It is also worth remembering that we need smart villages to prevent more people from migrating to their urban areas. For a successful and sustainable economy, we need to develop strong ecosystems with villages close to cities and good policies in this direction.