In the context of urban and rural development, how would you describe a smart city? What is the vision? What are the defining characteristics? What makes a city smart?
A smart city is one where the societal challenges of maintaining the various systems of the city are done through cooperation and collaboration. Technology is a faciltator rather than a driver of change. The problem needs to be identified first, i.e. pollution, congestion or energy, then the solution agreed upon. This approach is often termed the triple or quadruple helix. This is a report of a smart city project is was involved in Newcastle UK.: https://bit.ly/3zqOhlw
I would call a city that is interconnected a smart city.
It should use its energy from renewable resources, integrate wastewater and waste in a cycle so that everything can be recycled. in terms of mobility, the city should be organized in such a way that a car becomes superfluous, and everything can be reached on foot, bicycle or with public transport. A smart city also includes the use of sustainable building materials and sustainable land use. Furthermore, the city should be designed in such a way that the UHI (urban heat island) can be reduced, thus the health of the population is better and through plants, shade, colors and increased biodiversity people like to stay in the city.
A smart city is a city that uses technology and data to improve the quality of life for its citizens. Smart cities use sensors, data analytics, and other technologies to optimize the use of resources, reduce waste, and improve efficiency. They also use technology to improve public services such as transportation, healthcare, and public safety.