Page 10 - U4SSC Data and API requirements for centralized smart city platforms

Executive summary

The transformation of smart cities into comprehensive, interconnected systems requires robust
and standardized data management frameworks. This report, “Data and API Requirements for
Centralized Smart City Platforms,” explores the evolving role of smart city platforms as central
hubs, analysing the current landscape and outlining the necessary requirements for integrating
and standardizing data flows and APIs to enhance urban innovation and efficiency.

As smart city concepts have evolved over the past two decades, the scope of their application
has expanded significantly. However, practical implementations often remain limited to utility
upgrades and urban renovation. This report addresses the challenge of transforming smart cities
into dynamic connected spaces by exploring how they can function as central hubs integrating
diverse data streams and services.

The document begins by outlining the background of smart city development and the emerging
role of these platforms as open innovation ecosystems. It identifies key issues related to the
standardization of data flows and APIs, critical for achieving seamless integration and interoperability
across various smart city platforms.

A detailed gap analysis highlights current strategies and choices in international data spaces,
examining initiatives such as Gaia-X, FIWARE, and SAREF. These frameworks are assessed for their
ability to address the standardization challenges in smart city environments.

The report then introduces the concept of the “smart city as a hub” (SCHub), focusing on its
architecture and its role in connecting disparate data sources. It explores the similarities and
differences between the SCHub and traditional Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) processes, and
positions the SCHub within the broader landscape of interoperability initiatives. Additionally, it
discusses the SCHub’s role as an innovation and supply chain hub that integrates people and
materials.

Use cases illustrate practical applications of the SCHub, including data collection from common
property measurements, sensor measurement data discovery, and the retrieval of sensor data
through unified APIs. These examples demonstrate the SCHub’s potential to enhance data
management and service delivery in smart cities.

The report serves as a vital resource for urban planners, technology developers, and policymakers
aiming to advance smart city initiatives by standardizing data flows and APIs to create more cohesive
and efficient urban environments.

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