Increasing urbanization of the world's population has made the need for technological innovation more and more pressing. With many municipalities across the globe looking for innovative ways to ensure they are providing the best citizen experience possible, the smart cities movement has gained significant traction in recent years. There are a variety of clear benefits: enhancing the quality of life of citizens, reducing government costs, and creating new economic opportunities. As we look ahead to 2023, we’re highlighting some predictions for what we can expect to see in the smart cities movement in the coming year.

Growth in connected infrastructure

There are some exciting things already happening within the connected infrastructure space and it’s likely that municipalities will start adopting more and more of this existing technology. Think smart street lights that know when to turn up the brightness based on the time of day and if there are people around. And smart traffic lights that can self-adjust based on real-time traffic data to help reduce congestion and make commutes smoother. Smart traffic technology is already being deployed in several U.S cities, including Phoenix, Tucson, Palo Alto and Fort Worth, serving millions of drivers per day and reducing the average wait time at intersections by about 40 per cent per vehicle. We also predict that there will be more cities implementing smart parking systems which can help residents and visitors find available parking spots more easily, reducing the amount of time and fuel spent on looking for a space.

The adoption of more advanced data analytics platforms

Governments are always looking for ways to improve their operations, so we’ll most likely see more towns, cities, and counties dive deeper into advanced data analytics in 2023. With so much data at their fingertips, municipalities will be able to gain a clearer understanding of how things are performing and where improvements can be made. This means that governments will be able to make more informed decisions about things like investing in infrastructure, providing public services, and keeping their citizens safe in case of an emergency. All geared towards a mission to make our communities better for everyone.

Creating an enhanced citizen experience through technology

Cities are continuously seeking ways to make it easier for citizens to access information and services, to create a more inclusive and enjoyable experience for everyone. This year, we predict that there will be an even larger uptake of digital tools to enhance the citizen experience and build municipal trust. Government agencies across North America are increasingly deploying smart city initiatives to benefit their constituents during both in-person and online interactions. 2023 will see more municipalities adopting technology such as automated queueing software that reduces long wait times at City Hall. And more digital options for what were previously analogue-only form submissions such as licence applications and permit requests.

Generating new economic opportunities

There is a large likelihood that 2023 will see smart cities welcome new business into the area as a result of being regarded as hubs for innovation and growth. The communities across the world that are particularly invested in IoT and other forms of technology will undoubtedly notice an influx of tech-minded companies and talent flock to the region. A fantastic example of this is Arlington, Virginia which is home to National Landing: a purpose-built converged digital infrastructure, where innovative companies can develop and test technologies at city scale to offer new products and services to businesses, residents, and visitors.

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The smart cities movement is rapidly gaining momentum as technology continues to advance. Cities are looking for ways to create better experiences for their citizens, and the use of technology is a key enabler for this goal. It is evident that smart cities will play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of our urban communities.

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