Page 31 - U4SSC Blockchain for smart sustainable cities

Smart cities also seek to attract smart people, who are often highly mobile and willing to migrate.

(5) Smart living

Smart people are drawn to places that offer high standards of living by providing good housing, health
and education services and personal safety. Smart cities also provide opportunities for citizens to
benefit from tourism, and cultural and leisure activities.

The implementation of measures to control the environment and the quality of air and water, the
elaboration of sound maps, the traceability of food, the intelligent management of waste and street
cleaning, the use of monitoring systems of the human body, together with more efficiently managed
health services can all contribute to the overall improvement in the health of people living in cities.
At the same time, vehicle traffic control systems, mobility as a service, better information on public
transportation and information for improved traffic flow (incorporating detection of vacant parking
spaces in urban environments), can reduce traffic accidents and the stress associated with the time
spent in daily commuting. Improving these aspects of city life will also mean an increase in free time
and recreation, leading to a healthier and happier population.

(6) Smart governance

Smart city platforms provide local decision-makers with more accurate information that will allow
more effective management of the natural environment, historical heritage, public resources, and
city services. Real-time information about city services and infrastructure allows for the immediate
detection of faults and incidents in the public space, facilitating rapid responses. The provision of
electronic administration services can be expanded to remote settlements, allowing all residents to
enjoy similar levels of service from local administrations.

Smart technologies can be used to improve the flow of information for city or community management,
and between residents, businesses, consultants and other stakeholders. The effective dissemination
of information can make all stakeholders more aware of the issues, concerns and goals of others in
the city. This will make it easier to negotiate priorities for the city or community and ensure that there
is support for smart city goals and projects. A wider understanding of the SDGs and how each city or
community is working towards them is essential so that stakeholders can take a long-term view and
execute projects with more distant payoffs.

3.2.3 Sustainable cities and communities

The sustainable development of the cities and communities is reflected in the SDG 11 to make cities and
human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. The density and economic concentration
of cities mean that they need to work effectively for all the SDGs to be met since they are the centre
of concentrated human activity and habitation.

The sustainability of cities and communities depends on the efficient management of resources to
allow for their equitable use by all citizens.

U4SSC: Blockchain for smart sustainable cities 21