Five of the smartest cities in the world

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November 12, 2024
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5 min read
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Digital Twins

In a rapidly urbanizing world, cities are racing to harness the power of smart technology to enhance the quality of urban life. By leveraging innovations such as digital twins, data analytics, and IoT systems, these cities are redefining what it means to be sustainable, resilient, and interconnected. With the global urban population expected to swell to over 8.8 billion by 2050—and nearly 70% living in cities—the need for intelligent, future-ready solutions has never been greater. 

These insights explore five standout cities from the 2024 Smart Cities Index, showcasing how cutting-edge technology is transforming urban spaces and setting a new standard for city living.

  1. Singapore

Singapore is often lauded as the gold standard for smart cities, and for good reason. Since the launch of its Smart Nation initiative in 2014, Singapore has seamlessly  integrated advanced technologies into both public and private sectors. For instance, the city-state has implemented widespread contactless payment systems to streamline the movement of its 7.5 million daily public transport users. Addressing the pressures of an aging population, Singapore has normalized digital health services, including video consultations and IoT-enabled wearable devices for patient monitoring. This commitment to innovation extends even further with the ambitious development of Tengah, an eco-smart, vehicle-free “forest town” in the western region, set to house 42,000 homes within five distinct residential districts that prioritize safe spaces for pedestrians and cyclists.

One of Singapore’s most ground breaking achievements is the creation of the world’s first national digital twin. Initiated in response to pressing urban challenges, including flash flooding and land scarcity, the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) embarked on creating a 3D map of the country starting in 2012. The resulting ‘Virtual Singapore’ is a comprehensive 3D digital model used by government agencies for asset management, urban planning, and decision-making. This pioneering digital twin not only displays detailed above-ground features but is set to expand into a national subsurface model, essential for managing the city’s increasingly utilized underground infrastructure.

  1. Oslo, Norway

Oslo stands as a model for integrating citizen-focused innovation within its urban development. With a population of approximately 670,000, Oslo's Smart City vision centers on creating a more open, connected, sustainable, and innovative environment to enhance the quality of life for its residents. By leveraging the smart application of new technologies across multiple sectors and services, Oslo aims to keep the citizen at the heart of its initiatives.

The city integrates ICT and IoT solutions securely to manage key areas such as governance, energy, waste, water, urban mobility, healthcare, and education. This holistic approach ensures that Oslo remains adaptable and efficient while collaborating with internal and external stakeholders. Notable projects include the testing of electric buses, the development of zero-emission construction sites, and retrofitting existing buildings to meet sustainability goals. Additionally, Oslo has been pioneering circular waste management and green energy systems to reinforce its commitment to eco-friendly practices. Guided by the needs of its residents, Oslo’s vision ensures that any service that can be digitized is transformed to offer smarter, more responsive solutions.

  1. Canberra, Australia

Ranked as the third smartest city in the 2024 Smart City Index, Canberra exemplifies a future-focused approach to urban living. The ACT Government’s first Digital Strategy, published in 2016, laid the groundwork for an increasingly connected and responsive city. With a projected population of 500,000 by 2029, Canberra recognizes the importance of adapting to the changing needs of its community. The city’s strategic initiatives prioritize leveraging technology and data to improve the daily lives of its residents and the businesses that sustain them.

Canberra’s digital strategy emphasizes that technological advancement is not an end in itself but a means to enhance the quality of life for all. Key principles include placing the community at the center of policymaking and city planning, transparent use and sharing of data for better decision-making, and fostering collaborative relationships with industry partners to drive value. From zero-emission construction sites and smart waste management systems to digital citizen services, Canberra is committed to sustainable, citizen-oriented growth that harnesses co-design and strategic planning to ensure meaningful outcomes.

  1. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi continues to solidify its reputation as a leader in smart city innovation. The city has earned high marks for its ease of transportation, seamless online booking systems, and exemplary sanitation standards that extend even to its most underserved areas. Singapore-based companies are also collaborating with Abu Dhabi groups including Adnoc and the Department of Municipalities and Transport to develop smart city pilot projects in the emirate.

A standout project that showcases Abu Dhabi’s commitment to sustainable urban development is Masdar City, a newly planned neighbourhood designed as a model for eco-friendly living. Blending traditional Arab architecture with modern technological advances, Masdar City provides a naturally cooler environment even during the harsh summer months. The extensive use of rooftop solar panels harnesses the Sun's energy, making this development one of the largest photovoltaic installations in the Middle East. Most buildings in Masdar City meet LEED Gold or Platinum standards, with a design focus that reduces energy and water consumption by at least 40%. While construction has progressed more slowly than initially anticipated, the long-term vision for Masdar City includes a community that can accommodate up to 40,000 residents.

  1. Helsinki, Finland

Helsinki has positioned itself as a leader in sustainability with a bold aim to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030—an ambitious target that the city is steadily progressing toward. Even as early as 2015, Helsinki had already reduced its total emissions by 24% compared to 1990 levels. One of the primary strategies Helsinki employs to reach its carbon neutrality goal is tackling traffic emissions. This includes transitioning the entire city bus fleet to electric vehicles and expanding the Metro and electric car charging networks.

Given that heating accounts for over half of Helsinki’s emissions, the city has implemented energy-efficient measures during building renovations to cut emissions from structures. Additionally, incorporating renewable energy sources into public and private buildings has become a cornerstone of Helsinki’s sustainability efforts. Through a combination of forward-thinking urban policies and comprehensive energy strategies, Helsinki continues to set an example for cities worldwide in balancing technological innovation with environmental responsibility.

Begin your smart city transformation with Younite

Smart cities are reshaping urban environments by integrating digital twins to optimize operations, drive innovation, and unlock long-term value. Through the power of digital twins, cities can create virtual models of their infrastructure, enabling continuous refinement and adaptation across transportation, resource management, public services, and more. This not only streamlines operations but also generates compounding benefits, proving the value of a single investment in technology that grows and evolves with the city’s needs.

If your city is ready to embark on its smart city transformation using digital twin technology, Younite is here to support you at every step.

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