Figure 1: Smart cities aim to benefit the three pillars of sustainability — people (social), planet (environment), and profit (economic)
With the immense expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT), smart cit- ies have become more than just a concept. Technology is taking over the way we do things and impacts municipal services around the globe. Although adopting new technology in the construction industry can be a slow process, it has proven to bring much needed change and to improve construction and building processes. With the aim to improve quality of life by making cities more sustain- able, efficient, and easier to live in, smart cities are becoming essential to construction and infrastructure expansion. As the world becomes increasingly urbanized, the movement toward higher technology inte- gration in all aspects of living is crucial. The truth is that smart cities don’t only affect those living within them, but everyone around the globe. With a big focus on livability, smart cities aim to benefit the three pillars of sustainability — people (social), planet (environment), and profit (economic) (see Figure 1). Using smart technology to build smart cities Mobile apps and sensors are improving construction efficiency and optimizing concrete mixes. By Roxanne Pepin
Within smart cities, mobile apps are used to give fast and accurate ac- cess to traffic information, road conditions, circulation of pedestrians, and more. With the implementation of smart sensors and mobile apps, not only can public workers have access to information they can use to optimize traffic circulation and more, but citizens have access to information like open parking locations or wait times for restaurants. With this level of technology, cities are better able to manage resources with programs such as waste management that use sensors to notify the city sanitation department when it’s time to collect trash, or traffic light control that allows first responders to get where they need to be in a faster and safer manner. The biggest mover of smart cities is the massive amounts of data that can be collected with ease. This data is used to optimize everything from energy consumption, transportation, resource management, and more, and it all starts with construction. Technology is being utilized to create smart buildings that allow people to stay connected to build- ings and surrounding environment through information technology. Things such as air conditioning, ventilation, heating, lighting, security, and more are controlled by automated processes using sensors, micro- chips, and other devices. Data is collected and managed according to the building’s use and function. A lot of the technology necessary for operation of smart cities is implemented during the building process and can be unrecognizable to people it surrounds. Technology in construction The use of smart technology in construction is essential to ensuring
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csengineermag.com
march 2018
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