A smart city is a city that uses smart, networked technologies to support us in everyday life. It allows us to save time, use new forms of mobility and even breathe a little cleaner air. In short, the technologies at the heart of a smart city are improving the quality of life for its citizens. Less traffic jams, more safety, boosting economic growth by encouraging an ecosystem of innovation and startups, smart homes, and the use of energy-efficient buildings are just some of the tangible benefits.
In addition to dimensions related to urban mobility, sustainability, entrepreneurship, education, health and safety smart cities They also use data generated in cities to improve planning and governance issues. Public administration that depends on the use of data for decision-making will surely have more efficiency, economy and certainty.
For at least a decade, I have been championing an expanded vision of the concept of smart cities. Of course, all of these applications of the concept can be replicated and adapted to state and federal governments, making them smart governments And the smart countries.
I chose examples from some countries that are already working on the concept of “smart nations” at the federal level:
United kingdom
Since 2015, the United Kingdom has had Government digital service (GDS). The goal of the GDS is to make public services to the population simpler, more efficient and faster. Examples are job allowance (care allowance), Permanent power of attorney (online proxy system), Book a prison visit (Schedule a visit to prison) and Register to vote (Register to vote).
The numbers published are impressive: in just one year, the GDS has helped the government save £1.7 billion through digital transformation.
Estonia
A classic example when we think of “smart nations”. The country is one of the most advanced on the planet in terms of digital identities and the use of technology in government. All public services in the country are connected to the Internet. Business openings, data, prescriptions and patient records are digital, schools use online services and the entire relationship between government and citizens takes place online for free and in real time.
It has an e-resident programme, where it invites anyone on the planet to become a user of Estonian government services. It is the first case in the world government as a service (Government as a Service).
India
India has developed Aadhaar, a digital identity consisting of a unique number assigned to each citizen that is combined with a multi-factor identification system, based on elements such as biometrics (fingerprints and iris).
Israel
Israel calls itself Startup Nation. The term Startup Nation, translated into Portuguese, was the title of Dan Senor and Saul Singer’s 2009 book on Israel’s New Economy. With over 6,500 startups in a population of 8.5 million, Israel tops the list of startups per capita. Also: After the United States, Israel has the second largest number of technology companies listed on Nasdaq.
There are many good examples. The Israeli Waze is one of the most innovative navigation systems in the world. Another impressive example: OrCam – a small device that helps the visually impaired and blind access text and images through real-time voice translation, enhancing independence in their daily routine. The device that, by the way, is available in public libraries in Paraná.
And Brazil? Well, this is a conversation for another article, but without a doubt, our country has shown great developments in various dimensions related to the concept.
A smart city, smart government or smart nation does not just mean designing cities, states or countries in a more feasible way – economically and environmentally – but above all it means improving people’s daily lives. More than thinking about techniques, we have to think about deciphering the dimensional problems surrounding the concept and striving to overcome bureaucracy in order to effectively get the practicality of the solutions.
*André Telles is the author of five books on technology and innovation. Director of Innovation at the Association of Sales and Marketing Managers (ADVB-PR); Vice President of Smart Cities at the Brazilian Association for the Internet of Things (ABINC); and Innovation Consultant at Companhia Paranaense de Tecnologia (Celepar).
