(Photo : Denys Nevozhai on Unsplash)

While some modern technological innovations can be met with a sense of trepidation, others act as a marker for a much brighter future. With the world's population expected to grow by nearly 2 billion in the next 30 years, we simply must find a better way to use available space.

Thanks to advancements in interconnected technologies, including things like the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and predictive analytics, city planners and government agencies around the world are able to approach population growth much more intelligently.

These innovations are the backbone of smart cities, developments intended to turn outdated urban environments into cleaner, safer, and more sustainable population centers. But why is this pursuit deemed so important by experts? To understand the potential benefits of such developments, we must explore how smart cities impact mental health and the environment. 

What is a smart city?

A smart city (also known as a safe city, eco-city, or sustainable city) is an urban population center that uses smart technologies to improve operational efficiency and provide a better quality of life to its residents. Typically, interconnected technologies and smart data analytics tools will be used to optimize essential services and streamline daily life for all inhabitants.

For a city to be classified as smart, the development should meet the following criteria:

  • Essential infrastructures (transportation, water, energy, waste, etc.) must be optimized using smart technologies.

  • Environmental initiatives must be prioritized with a view to improving sustainability.

  • Residents should be able to live and work in the city using community resources.

  • An emphasis should be placed on data-informed decision-making.

According to the IMD Smart City Index 2023, there are currently 141 cities around the world that can be classified as smart cities, with this number expected to rise in the coming years.

With the United Nations expecting 60% of the global population to be living in urban areas by 2030, the need for smarter cities and more sustainable infrastructure will likely only grow. But the benefits of smart city developments stretch far beyond a need to meet housing demands.

The Environmental Impact of Smart Cities

One of the major benefits of the development of smart cities concerns the ability to reduce the environmental damage associated with urban living. For example, most smart cities are designed with a focus on public transportation. This reduces the need for residents to own private vehicles, lowering the amount of carbon emissions released into the atmosphere.

Public transportation services are also optimized via live data analytics, which means schedules are updated based on real-time demand. IoT sensors and AI-informed cameras collect data continuously to ensure services always operate with efficiency and sustainability in mind.

This same principle is applied to other forms of infrastructure. For instance, IoT sensors in refuse collection areas are used to optimize waste management, reducing congestion and helping workers to plan efficient routes. Similarly, real-time data is used to inform building management systems, ensuring lighting and HVAC systems are only used when necessary.

These factors, combined with additional elements like the use of renewable energy sources, air quality monitoring systems, and energy-efficient building materials, enable smart cities to function far more efficiently than traditional urban locations, supporting sustainability efforts.

The Impact of Smart Cities on Mental Health

Pursuing a data-driven approach to urban developments can also have a positive impact on mental health. One aspect in which this may be true can be seen in crime reduction, which Michelle English, LCSW of Healthy Life Recovery, says can benefit public mental health immensely: "Fear of crime has the potential to erode communities and damage an individual's well-being."

Using smart technologies such as AI-informed cameras and IoT sensors positioned in pedestrian areas has been shown to reduce criminal activity by as much as 40% whilst also improving incident response times by up to 35%, resulting in quality of life improvements for residents.

In addition, many smart cities use technology to increase the number of green spaces built alongside urban environments. Kim Homan, LMFT, Clinical Director at Tennessee Behavioral Health, explains that these efforts serve a dual purpose, both Supporting wider sustainability practices and ensuring that all residents have access to natural green spaces. She explains, "Studies have shown that access to green spaces can improve mental and physical health."

In essence, using smart technologies and data-driven analytics to both meet and predict the needs of large populations can have a significant impact on mental health. These efforts act to facilitate greater support networks to reduce issues like anxiety and stress. Data supports this, revealing citizens tend to be happier in cities with advanced technological capabilities.

Summary

As the global population continues to increase, city planners and local authorities will have to find new and innovative ways to meet housing and infrastructure needs. Thankfully, using smart technologies and data analytics programs to develop smart cities has already proved beneficial in many locations, helping officials promote sustainability and create safer, more supportive urban environments. As more research is conducted, these cities will only improve.