Six Requirements of a Smart City

While there is no universally agreed definition of a smart city, it is generally understood that smart cities use information and communication technologies (ICTs) to improve citizens’ quality of life, enhance efficiency, including security and transport, and meet current economic, social, and environmental needs without compromising them for future generations.

Oftentimes, smart city frameworks assume cities already have the basic infrastructure needed to enable the transition. Many successful projects focus on smaller, densely populated areas with stable infrastructure and connectivity.

In South Africa, however, many rural areas lack these foundations, from outdated or poorly maintained technologies to infrastructure that is simply absent, these challenges must be weighed carefully, as viability and affordability become critical considerations even before implementation begins. The South African Smart Cities Framework (2021) outlines six principles necessary to create inclusive and sustainable South African smart cities:

1. It should be smart for all.

Smart city initiatives should not be implemented at the expense of any members of the city. Efforts should specifically address the needs of those facing economic hardship, lacking technological skills, or living with disabilities.

2. It should use technology as an enabler, not a driver.

Technology should be a means to an end, selected for its relevance and impact rather than novelty. Implementing only what is needed can help reduce costs and avoid exacerbating inequality, measures need to be taken to increase the digital literacy of those who lack these skills – such as Singapore’s Smart Nation initiative which actively works on bridging the digital divide of its citizens.

3. It should be shaped by, and respond to, the local context.

Smart cities are uniquely adapted to local conditions. Smart city initiatives need to target local challenges specifically by ensuring the right technology is implemented. In South Africa, this means considering factors such as poverty, inequality and unemployment, and how smart city approaches can be targeted to resolve them. Local knowledge should be used to ensure that factors such as social and cultural dynamics, are respected. Relying on a generic vision often results in ill-suited and more expensive solutions. A South African smart city will look very different from its European counterpart.

4. It should embrace innovation, partnerships and collaboration.

Smart cities should combine efforts and projects from the public sector, private sector and citizens. Initiatives can be implemented at different levels, some may be municipal specific, others may be neighbourhood specific. Involving citizens helps create a sense of community and responsibility. Strong partnerships require shared objectives, clear values, and close management to remain effective.

5. It should be informed by real community needs.

Active community participation is essential for a successful smart city. From planning and implementation to completion – ongoing feedback and suggestions is invaluable. This ensures that as needs evolve, so does the approach.

6. It should be sustainable, resilient and safe.

Sustainability, resilience and safety need to be considered within a South African context. Cities are complex, and improving them requires addressing human, social, economic, and environmental factors together.

Smart initiatives and technologies could impact the way cities are planned, designed and managed to ensure they are better prepared for disasters. For instance, long term planning can be enhanced through geospatial modelling and analysis, assisting with predicting droughts and other disasters. Combined with real-time data, this would allow municipal officials to comprehensively manage and monitor critical assets and to create resilient cities. Similarly, improving safety should be balanced with social cohesion and strong governance to protect citizens’ rights.

Smart cities can become costly to implement, but they don’t have to be. While initial investments are unavoidable, long-term savings can far outweigh upfront expenses. Automating city functions streamlines service delivery and reduces reliance on manual processes. Water and electricity services, for instance, can be optimised to save time, money, and resources. AI and IoT solutions can also help mitigate risk and improve safety by handling hazardous tasks without endangering workers. Overhauling outdated, siloed systems cuts operational costs over time.

Solutions like Acumen Software’s suite of products help advance smart city initiatives in South Africa – and do so affordably. Acumen Software are the developers of Forcelink Mobile Field Services ERP Solution, Powerlink Outage Management System, the My Smart City citizen platform and the recently launched SPOTTER, an AIoT pothole detection solution. Each product is designed to be able to work together to streamline and enhance city operations while keeping sustainability and cost-effectiveness a priority.

While challenges remain to fully realising smart cities in South Africa, they are far from impossible. Cities like George, which leverage My Smart City Pro features to improve and coordinate their operations, are setting an example of what’s possible. With affordable, tailored solutions, smart city aspirations can become reality.