The Top Ten Smartest Cities in the World 

Smart cities are more secure, sustainable, and enjoy a higher level of connectivity than ever before. Governments and businesses in smart cities are leveraging advancing technologies to improve everything from healthcare services to street lights and parking availability. According to Thales, smart city development is important because the population in urban areas will increase by approximately 2.5 billion over the next several decades. The following are the ten smartest cities in the world and what makes each of them unique.

10.Copenhagen

This beautiful Danish city already has a network that connects traffic lights, parking, metering, and even buildings into one efficient system. This improves energy optimization while directing traffic in real-time. One of the best technical aspects of this particular city is how smart tech is part of bicycling. Nearly half of all residents bicycle to work. There is now an app that helps guide the bikers through city streets, even telling them how fast to pedal to make it to the next green light. In addition to all this, Interesting Engineering states that Copenhagen is committing to becoming carbon neutral by 2025. This is 25 years ahead of the European Union’s commitment to reaching this goal by 2050.

9.Berlin

Berlin, which is also the capital of Germany, is certainly earning its status as one of the leading smart cities throughout the world. According to CitiesToday, Berlin is increasingly attractive because of the advancing technology as well as the fact that it’s still relatively inexpensive in comparison to other European cities. Berlin is placing a particular emphasis on improving transportation, climate protection, and sustainability. Berlin began developing a strategy in 2015 that includes specific goals such as becoming carbon neutral and increasing the efficiency of all their resources.

8.Amsterdam

Amsterdam is supporting dozens of projects in a private-public partnership they have put together that brings government, business, educational systems, and citizens together to create digital solutions for their city. Amsterdam receives high marks in the areas of transportation and easy mobility. The country is focusing on these particular areas in order to promote the city as a premier tourist destination. In particular, Amsterdam has its famous “Climate Street.” This is a collaboration of private partners and dozens of local businesses joining together to provide smart meters, energy-efficient street lights, and a variety of sustainable projects. 

7.New York

New York City is developing innovative technologies that are focusing on several distinct areas. A few of these include real-time utility monitoring, water containment and purification, smarter traffic mobility systems, and improving the use of drones and aerial systems. The city has a program that has hundreds of smart censors throughout different business districts. An example is a monitor in trash cans that let city crews know when they are full. The city is also providing online kiosks for internet connectivity that are replacing phone booths.

6.Tokyo

IoT World Today explains that while some smart cities focus on efficiency as the end goal, Tokyo is striving to address social issues. They are using technology to promote social progress. Artificial intelligence and big data is a way to improve health, safety, and enable individuals to lead more cohesive and productive lives. The focus is not on the technology itself, but how it can solve problems in various communities. Tokyo also places a strong emphasis on environmental issues.

5.Barcelona

Barcelona is on the cutting-edge when it comes to implementing smart technology. According to sdxcentral, Barcelona is putting together several changes including adopting holographic solutions that will enhance remote learning through an immersive education program. They’re also offering greater connectivity in tourist areas through the implementation of a multi-operator neutral network system. With huge investments already in IT infrastructure, the city is creating close to 50,000 new jobs and generating an increase in income through parking revenues.

4.Dubai

Dubai is a trendsetter in everything from dazzling architecture and diverse culture to incorporating advanced technology in almost all aspects of daily life. Dubai’s competitive global economy is using information and communication technologies to digitally transform the city. Dubai is in the process of digitalizing all government services. With the help of blockchain, Dubai’s goal is to go completely paperless by the end of 2021. 

3.Hong Kong

Hong Kong is mapping out an extensive plan to make it one of the premier smart cities in the world. Aspects of these innovations include a digital healthcare system, buildings that are both green and intelligent, and a legal system that involves an online platform to resolve disputes. They are also implementing artificial intelligence to monitor rainfall and rising sea levels to combat climate change. Hong Kong also has per capita a high number of mobile phones. This is important since citizen engagement is a crucial aspect of making a successful smart city. 

2.London

There are several projects currently in place that makes London one of the top smartest cities in the world. London has a plan to send drones throughout the city to spot areas with unused space to install cellular antennas. The goal is to space 5G cells 200 meters apart. London is also creating a way to incorporate the old with the new. The plan is to fill their classic lampposts with sensors and charging mechanisms for electric vehicles.

1.Singapore

Singapore leads the way when it comes to technological advancements. Because of its aging population, the government began looking for ways to improve digital advancement and make life easier for its citizens long before most other cities. Singapore was the first city to make use of driverless taxis. Singapore has an aggressive goal of providing energy-efficient lights for every public road and solar panels on at least 6,000 buildings. The city also plans to provide solar power for approximately 350,000 homes by 2030. Because 95 percent of homes in Singapore already have broadband access, this also makes it one of the smartest cities in the world. 

Each of these cities is planning and implementing some of the newest and most advanced smart technology. Whether it’s in the fields of healthcare, transportation, government, or in the area of personal living, they are proving why they’re among the top smartest cities in the world.