Difference a future city will make
Work on technologies that could be used in future cities has already seen innovations and an idea of how some of tomorrow’s urban infrastructures could look.
Examples include vacuum waste disposal. These are systems which transport waste along pneumatic tubes to collection stations where it’s compacted and sealed in containers. This helps separation and recycling of waste.
Vacuum systems are already in use in China, South Korea and the US. Planned schemes include one for the city centre of Bergen in Norway.
How the work could be done
Although building new smart cities from scratch may be one way of dealing with growing urban populations in the future, the approach has attracted some criticism.
Songdo in South Korea is generally credited as the world’s first future city. Buildings have automatic climate control and computerised access. Water, waste and electricity systems track and respond to the movement of residents.
But some critics have voiced fears that a computerised city like Songdo could also develop into a ‘Big Brother’ environment where everyone is under surveillance.
The challenge for engineers and planners will be to remember that cities are much more than nuts, bolts and hi tech innovation. Urban infrastructure should serve the needs of citizens and communities – helping them to prosper.
An alternative for cities of the future may be using new technologies to integrate with existing systems, as well as putting the needs of citizens first when upgrading their environment.
Examples of this approach could include using smart sensors to measure water leaks in real time, control traffic flow (smart motorways) or dim street lights when no-one is around.
While the 20th century has seen engineers get to grips with the technical needs of the environment, the challenge of the 21st century will be on the more complex areas of social justice and inclusion.