Page 38 - Redefining smart city platforms: Setting the stage for Minimal Interoperability Mechanisms - A U4SSC deliverable on city platforms

4.4 Integrated City Platforms

City Platforms are a key part of any city architecture, and cities and communities will each have a
variety of different platforms at different layers of their overall city platform.

The logic behind the use of platforms is straightforward – instead of using many separate applications
containing duplicating functionally, all common functionalities can be collected into a platform and
solutions which are built on top of that platform then only need to possess unique functionality.

Figure 9: Platform-based agile solutions 27

The platform simplifies the use of its platform components and ensures interaction between them.
Thus, the platform frees up resources to focus on solving unique problems.

The planning of new solutions can be coordinated within the scope of the platform to minimize
duplication of efforts in solving the same problems.

New solutions can be included in the platform gradually for widespread use.

All interactions between the platform and applications can use standardized interfaces (API
methodology).

Any city will have many, many existing platforms used by different organizations or departments
and with various types of functions. They may be horizontal platforms such as IoT platforms, data
platforms, AI platforms, or they may be platforms focused on delivering a specific set of services
such as smart mobility platforms, energy management platforms and so on.

The key challenge is that these platforms are often built within silos, and it can be very difficult to
share and manage data between them.

ITU defines a smart city platform as: A city platform that offers direct integration of city platforms
and systems, or through open interfaces between city platforms and third parties, in order to offer
urban operation and services supporting the functioning of city services, as well as efficiency,
performance, security and scalability. 28

28 Redefining smart city platforms: Setting the stage for Minimal Interoperability Mechanisms