Environment and Smart Cities: a solution for the planet

Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things are presented as fundamental pieces in matters such as waste management or energy efficiency

The environment and the Smart Cities are two of the great issues we face today. We’re not just talking about a better management of energy and waste with a view to personal and collective savings, but there is also real concern for the planet and the climate crisis in which we are immersed.

Therefore, the need to make an efficient waste management and to reduce pollution levels arises. All this implies that every city must become more and more intelligent. Those that are aimed at self-management and efficiency already control and monitor scarce natural resources, especially water and energy, in a responsible manner.

environment-and-smart-cities-a-solution-for-the-planet

Measures in environmentally friendly smart cities

Use of clean or renewable energies such as solar
Intelligent energy networks
Building monitoring and renovation
Planning of green spaces
Use of intelligent street lighting
Smart Buildings
Sensors in waste bins that detect filling
LED lighting that saves up to 60% of energy
Intelligent irrigation system

All these measures lead to savings of between 20% and 30% in energy, which translates into significant amounts of tons of CO2 not emitted into the atmosphere.

In addition, the theme of the environment and Smart Cities is reinforced by actions in mobility, which in Smart Cities include clean options such as bicycle lending, electric vehicles or collaborative economy solutions for instance car sharing.

How to value the environmental character of a smart city

Although it is a complicated task, there are indicators that help to know how much environmental a smart city has. This is, for example, the measurements of the surface of green areas per inhabitant or how many trees correspond to each one.

Environmentally responsible cities

Despite the importance of many smart cities outside our borders, within the national territory we also have pioneering cities in the care of the environment.

Thus, Santander is one of the best examples. Today, the city has sensors to control traffic, pollution, irrigation or public lighting.

Along with it, the cases of Barcelona, outstanding for its management of public lighting with LED systems, and Malaga, which is gaining importance for its intelligent energy management system and its fleet of electric vehicles.

At Wattabit we are committed to the fight against climate change by helping small municipalities and cities to develop environmental policies that respect the planet.