(MENAFN- AzerNews) By Amina Nazarli
Urbanization is proceeding quite rapidly around the world and even now half of the world's population lives in cities. In the 21st century, the state of the urban environment is not determined only by the availability of infrastructure. A ‘smart city' needs smart solutions that provide a qualitatively new development.
The term‘smart city'has become a popular topic of conversation in the tech industry for a few years.
But what is a ‘smart city'? The overarching mission of a smart city is to optimize city functions and drive economic growth while improving quality of life for its citizens using smart technology and data analysis.
When we think of a smart city, our imaginations start running and think of a technologically advanced civilization where everything is automated and run by smart, self-aware machines -- that is true. Today there are more than 100 smart cities with intellectual ‘stuffing' all over the world.
This system partially operates in Azerbaijan, but it's too early to talk about the full transition to the system.
Andrew Beklemishev, regional director of the International Data Corporation (IDC) for Central Asia, Azerbaijan and Mongolia believes that Baku has all the prerequisites to become the best example of smart city in the region.
'This requires a unified strategy and approach as well as a clear vision of how it is possible to achieve objectives with the help of modern digital technologies, based on the experience of other cities and given the specifics of Baku, he told Trend.
As for the cost of implementation of the smart city concept, it is necessary to see the current plan of Baku's development and what can be done with the help of digital technologies.
'Creating the smart city concept does not mean it is expensive, Beklemishev said, adding that everything depends on cooperation of the civil society, business and the government.
The idea of smart city is that by collecting and processing information in real time, it is possible to use available resources with greater productivity and thus save money, act more rationally and provide higher-level service.
'It is the smart technologies that will allow achieving the objectives in a short time at minimum cost, Beklemishev said.
Not just technologies make a city smart but their rational and efficient use. 'I am sure that in Baku people are able to qualitatively implement projects while meeting the set deadlines, he said.
Baku, an extraordinary and impressive capital city of Azerbaijan, today is known far beyond the region thanks to its fairy beauty and sustainable development.
Incredible construction boom of the recent years in Baku, also known as the City of Winds, amazes many by new hotels, office buildings, skyscrapers, sporting complexes and museums of modern art.
The city is quickly rejuvenated and the population of Baku may reach four million people by 2035.
Today, a number of the country's ministries including Internal Affairs Ministry and Transport Ministry are using smart city capabilities. Recently, this system is increasingly used in financial transactions, to ensure transparency, in particular, when it comes to the city's budget.
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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews' staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli
Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
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