The SDGs are the Sustainable Development Goals, a set of 17 global goals that were adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015. These goals seek to promote sustainable development in all areas, from eradicating poverty and inequality to protecting the environment.
Smart cities are cities that use technology to improve the quality of life of their citizens, the efficiency of their services and the sustainability of their operations. Technologies used in smart cities include the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), big data and analytics.
The relationship between the SDGs and smart cities is close. Smart cities can contribute to the achievement of the SDGs in a number of ways, such as:
- Improving citizens’ quality of life: Smart cities can provide more efficient public services, such as transportation, energy and waste management. They can also improve the safety and health of citizens, as well as access to education and culture.
- Promoting sustainability: Smart cities can reduce energy and resource consumption and pollution. They can also contribute to environmental protection and sustainable development.
- Reducing poverty and inequality: Smart cities can create economic and social opportunities for all citizens, regardless of their origin or social status.
Specifically, SDG 11, which aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable, is closely related to smart cities. Smart cities can contribute to the achievement of this goal in a number of ways, such as:
- Promote social inclusion: Smart cities can provide high-quality public services to all citizens, regardless of their income level or social status.
- Improve safety and resilience: Smart cities can use technologies to improve the safety of their citizens, such as the use of surveillance cameras and sensors to detect threats. They can also use technologies to improve the resilience of cities to natural disasters.
- Promote sustainability: Smart cities can reduce the environmental impact of their operations, such as using renewable energy and reducing pollution.
Ultimately, smart cities have the potential to contribute significantly to the achievement of the SDGs. By using technology to improve the quality of life of their citizens, the efficiency of their services and the sustainability of their operations, smart cities can help create a more just, equitable and sustainable world.
