Turning point: Smart cities move from theory to reality

author:IDC Smart Cities and Government WatchdepartmentVice PresidentRuthbea Yesner 

November 14 this year ^dayto 16 ^dayThe Smart City Expo in Barcelona is an exciting event. I have had the opportunity to attend this expo several times since it was first launched in 2011. What a difference 7 years makes!

I'm often asked what "smart city" events I would recommend, and I believe this event captures the essence of the global movement for smart cities. Of course, only a handful of cities around the world can send representatives or set up pavilions, so I hope this blog will provide a glimpse into the conference for those who can't experience the exhibitions, demonstrations, talks and receptions directly. Here are some considerations:

• Representing an ecosystem of smart city solution providers.SCEWC featured 675 exhibitors, a 14% increase from 2016, 700 cities and government agencies, and more than 17,000 attendees. Participating vendors demonstrate the broad ecosystem of partners needed to build smart cities. This means there are companies large and small offering a wide variety of solutions, and often there are many partner pavilions. Microsoft, Mastercard, Hexagon and Siemens are just a few of the names displaying a wide range of products. The level of sophistication in solution demonstration and display gave the showroom an incredible height and fun, energy. Jumping from popcorn on one monitor to interactive cars on another, it's easy to meet new people, get close to exhibitors and make connections at one of the many receptions.
• Cities are playing a very active role in the sense of shaping smart cities.Government has a similarly broad representation, or buying equation. The number of city and country pavilions showing solutions is much higher this year than in previous years. Large smart cities like Dubai, Istanbul, London, New York and Moscow share space with smaller cities, many of them from sponsoring countries such as Australia, Austria, Belgium, Chile, China, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Netherlands, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Norway, Sweden and the United States. These city-focused areas provide a unique perspective on how cities are approaching smart city initiatives, addressing challenges and working with partners. I listened to a panel discussion held at the city booth where several city CIOs talked very candidly about what they were looking for in a vendor partner and how they managed to define, fund and purchase specific projects. Winner Marketplace.city. Originally launched in partnership with New York City, Market City is a platform that helps government agencies find new technology solutions and suppliers usingfrom other citiesProduct and solution recommendations and case studies. What is clear from this and many other discussions is that cities are eager to shape the future of smart cities and ensure that smart cities are not marketing, technology or vendor driven, but focused on working for the city and its residents, businesses and visitors.
• There is a focus here and now. Often, cities can think of smart cities as states of the future, using emerging technologies that are not applicable to current challenges. This was not the case at Expo, where many attendees had their "lightbulb moment" about how demonstrating solutions could help them, and these new technologies were practical, not theoretical. A great example is Microsoft's exhibition on the use of augmented reality and HoloLens. Attendees can put on the lens and see how it aids in the maintenance and repair of precision equipment, with the ability to provide manual or expert video during repairs. Audience members who audition immediately connect these capabilities to on-site training and support staff, reducing travel time and costs,  This is important because augmented, virtual and machine reality are often viewed as experimental, but not yet relevant to the challenges facing cities today.
• There is still much to learn. In addition to the very active exhibition hall, the guest speakers were very meaningful. The event has eight themes – from governance and economics to sustainability, public safety and mobility, and is where much of the discussion and debate about the future of cities takes place. These conversations include technology perspectives (i.e. What is the role of blockchain? What standards do we need to enable digital transformation?) as well as people and process considerations in urban areas (i.e. How do we create low-carbon settlements? Secure digital assets?) . Two areas in particular require more attention. The first is to think beyond point solutions and ensure there is a strategy to connect systems and silos to more fully realize the value of smart city solutions. Many products and conversations are still focused on a single use case applicable to one sector and problem area; the idea of ​​interconnected urban systems is still in its infancy. This white paper goes further on this topic. Second, smart city ecosystems need more accessibility education. After meeting with James Thurston of G3ict and Dr. Pineda of World Enabled, I learned that 90% of the solutions on display at the Expo were not designed for diverse users, and the exhibits themselves, presented access challenges. Their initiative, Smart Cities for All, is key to helping us all continue our commitment to accessibility.

These were just one of the highlights of a high-energy, dynamic week full of community catalysts working together to make smart cities a reality.I hope this provides a snapshot of this activity and encourages more cities and providers to consider smart city initiatives.