How important is urban development to sustainable development in general?
It is critical. People live in cities, not in countries. They tend to relate to the city they are living in much more than to their country. We engage and interact with our home town every day. Cities are definitely the main drivers of the world’s sustainability agenda. In the future, they will be able to consume less energy, to create efficiencies and generate new jobs.
How can policymakers use smart city technologies to improve urban sustainability?
The smart city is about people, not technology. Policymakers need to understand the priorities of the citizens in the city and create a plan that includes the ecosystem they need to be successful. There must be a cultural change, not just a technology fix. More computers will not make it happen.
“We have to change the way that people live and behave in cities”.
Amr Salem, Global Managing Director, Smart Cities IoE, Cisco Systems
What are the key areas for action?
Currently, we are focusing on the environment, on transportation, city security, and energy. For example, 50% of the energy consumed in cities is in street lights. We are enabling a movement towards smart LED lights, which can generate a huge saving, freeing up city budgets to spend elsewhere.
In the transport area, we are helping cities become more efficient in collecting parking fees, while making it easier for drivers to find a parking space. City governments are using technology to address the specific priorities for which the people elected them. Urban residents want to live in a safe environment where they benefit from good city services. Whether in environment, transport or safety, technology will play a key role
