The forward march of smart cities, buildings and initiatives provides opportunities for electrical contractors as they make the vision of many mayors and city planners a reality.

Smart cities are growing with everything from smarter building initiatives and transportation to better lighting and a whole host of projects that are on the minds of municipal leaders as they work with the electrical industry to build out their vision.

According to Grandview Research, growing population and urbanization has amplified the need for sustainable structures, driving the market growth for smart cities. Regional governments are addressing these issues through initiatives in mobility, utility, safety and management. 

Local governments are encouraging organizational changes, steady investments and collaborations among diverse businesses. Financing and governance systems for infrastructure development are significantly contributing to market expansion.

Smart city projects require a variety of technologies to fit each project’s needs, including the internet of things, artificial intelligence (A.I.) and smart sensors. The primary drivers for these solutions are improving city resilience, reducing energy consumption and addressing environmental waste.

Around the world, next-generation real estate projects are reshaping cities by integrating smart, sustainable and human-­centric designs, including an emphasis on renewable energy, advanced industrial hubs and car-free zones. These projects consider local customs, incorporating public spaces and traditional architectural styles. 

Digital twins and 3D scanning enhance construction efficiency and safety. Collaboration between governments and private sectors is crucial, driving economic diversification.

New York

The Department of Citywide Administrative Services in New York oversees some 15 million square feet of office space, a significant portion of the city’s total 347 million square feet across all departments. A major challenge has been retrofitting older buildings—traditionally reliant on packaged terminal air conditioner units and window air conditioners—to align with the city’s aggressive energy and climate goals. These goals include the 80% carbon reduction by 2050 target, the installation of 100 megawatts of solar photovoltaic systems by 2025 and adherence to Mayor Eric Adams’ Executive Order 26, which commits the city to the Paris Climate Agreement principles.

To help address these goals, Verizon and BOSS Controls have announced a pioneering partnership. This collaboration aims to transform New York City’s office buildings, many of which are aging structures without centralized HVAC systems, into state-of-the-art, energy-efficient smart buildings.

Denver

Denver is at the forefront of future-focused architecture. Notable examples are Panasonic Enterprise Solutions’ LEED Gold-certified building, the Civica Cherry Creek office with smart windows and the Denver CityNOW project, which aims to develop a carbon-­neutral district energy plan. 

The Mile High City is also a leader in smart building technologies, integrating systems that enhance efficiency, comfort and sustainability. Innovations include building automation systems, smart lighting, HVAC controls and renewable energy integration.  

Washington, D.C.

In Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser set forth an initiative for 50% of the city’s streetlights to be modernized under the D.C. Smart Street Lighting Project. This initiative, part of the District’s Smart Cities program, aims to convert over 75,000 streetlights to energy-efficient LEDs. The project enhances safety, reduces energy consumption by 50% and enables remote monitoring.

A.I. as a catalyst

A.I. plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of smart cities, transforming urban spaces into more livable and sustainable places. These technologies are crucial for integrating advanced services and functionalities into community infrastructures, enhancing the quality of life for residents. By 2050, over two-thirds of the global population will live in cities, creating challenges and opportunities for smarter urban development. Stakeholders use A.I. to design, build and manage cities more efficiently, addressing the needs of growing populations.

As intelligent communities with advanced technology hubs become the norm, the data analysis and actionable insights A.I. provides will help boost living standards, improve public services, city planning, disaster management and more, while creating a more efficient urban environment. It is critical to stay on top of these technologies to set benchmarks in smart city living and sustainability.

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