The role of
technology
in urban
development:
FAQs on 5G cities

The role of technology in urban development has never been more critical, thanks to the ongoing deployment of 5G wireless networks and the exponential growth of Internet of Things (IoT) devices. As the world becomes more urbanized and cities and other metropolitan areas continue to grow, the future of urban planning will require a better understanding of smart city technologies. This includes big data, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, IoT and 5G connectivity that can enable low latency and real-time decision-making applications.

Municipalities and urban planners looking to create 5G cities can take advantage of these advances in creating the city of the future today. Here are some FAQs around the role of technology in urban development.

Many groups, including the United Nations and European Commission, have their own definitions of the term “smart city”. Basically, a smart city uses several digital and communication technologies to benefit its citizens. This can be done by collecting better data to create faster and lower-cost solutions to address urbanization problems and, ultimately, improve lives.

The continued urbanization and growth of the world's population are creating larger challenges for cities. The U.N. estimates that two-thirds of the world's population will live in a city by 2050. All of this growth brings potential problems, such as increased traffic, air and water pollution, crime, and waste management issues.

Utilizing 5G technologies along with better data analytics and IoT devices can help cities respond to these problems in unique ways. IoT Analytics predicts that there will be 27 billion IoT-connected devices in the world by 2025 that can generate data to improve quality of life. In addition, 5G wireless technology is expected to someday support up to one million devices per square kilometer, much more than the up to 2,000 devices per square kilometer with older 4G technology. Supporting these devices with low latency and high-speed connectivity is crucial for the future of urban planning.

The role of technology in urban development is critical for the expansion of smart cities. Four key technologies enable a smart city infrastructure:

• Internet of Things: Sensors and other devices that can quickly connect to a network can provide city officials with key information about events occurring in their cities. Whether it's a smart sensor on a traffic light that eases traffic congestion or a device that can detect whether a trash dumpster is filled, millions of devices are expected to monitor thousands of locations around a city.
• Big data: All of these devices will create data that can allow city leaders to make better decisions about improving situations within a city. Traffic data trends can allow cities to provide better route optimization for vehicle deliveries, trash pickup and other essential services.
• AI and machine learning: Using historical and real-time data provided by IoT sensors, new algorithms can dynamically switch a traffic signal when congestion is detected or identify pedestrians to enable better smart lighting in parks and other open areas.
• 5G connectivity: The low latency, high performance and bandwidth capacity that 5G can provide is expected to enable services that can support public safety and security applications, as well as enable autonomous public transportation vehicles to help reduce traffic congestion.

A city that enables smart city infrastructure can tackle several different problems, including:

• Traffic management: Sensors on traffic lights can switch when congestion is detected; sensors in the street and in crosswalk areas can detect when pedestrians approach to optimize the traffic flow of vehicles and citizens.
• Public safety: Real-time response systems and drones can help enhance situational awareness, potentially enabling law enforcement and other first responders to act more effectively during emergencies.
• Waste management: In many cities, trash collection is handled on a set schedule, with lots of energy wasted on checking dumpsters or waste bins that are not full. Sensors on smart bins could allow for ad hoc trash collection or an optimized schedule, lowering the chances of waste overflow that can harm the environment.

Other benefits municipalities might expect from using smart city technologies include better air quality, a reduction in traffic, and reduced carbon emissions from trucks and other vehicles that often idle in traffic jams. For example, smart parking systems can help reduce the time it takes for cars to locate a good space, and optimized routes can enable faster deliveries of goods and services.

Faster emergency response times by first responders can create a safer and more secure city, helping to save lives and potentially reducing the cost of healthcare. Better data around air quality and water consumption can improve a city's environmental profile, as well as reduce the amount of non-recycled waste through better waste management.