The concept of “smart city”, which aims to improve the quality of life of city dwellers thanks to technologies, is little used today without associating the pursuit social and environmental objectives. In Quebec, research is underway to make our cities connected, but also sustainable, places to live.
Electronic information terminals, wifi points, intelligent lighting, traffic or waste management systems… Urban environments are becoming digital. Thanks to the data they analyze and collect on a daily basis from a multitude of fixed and mobile devices, cities optimize the management of their resources, their operations and the services they offer to their users.
Appearing in the 2000s, the concept of smart cities has no official definition, but the institutions, researchers and governments that have taken it up over the years have rarely limited themselves, to describe it, to strictly technological considerations. “From a technocentric vision focused on the quality of services, we quickly took the step towards a vision serving the quality of life, and therefore sustainability,” relates Florence Paulhiac Scherrer, holder of the International Chair on Uses. and practices of the smart city at ESG UQAM.
Opportunities and Challenges
Thinking about cities that are connected, green, economically and socially viable has never seemed so urgent in an era that sees health and climate threats and armed conflicts making ecosystems and communities vulnerable.
It is also an ambitious project. Firstly because the urban population continues to increase. Currently, more than half of the world’s population lives in cities and this proportion is expected to rise to 70% by 2050, according to the United Nations.
But this density, while it complicates the management of infrastructure and services, also offers possibilities by allowing economies of scale. Well managed, it potentially slows down urban sprawl which increases dependence on cars and threatens biodiversity. It also brings together the expertise that enables the transformation of urban environments. “Cities are essential drivers of sustainable development, efficiency and productivity. They are where culture and innovation are born,” emphasizes Michael Bossert, head of research and business development innovation at the Next Generation Cities Institute at Concordia University.
Another challenge is to improve urban services using technology while minimizing its energy consequences, particularly in terms of data storage and processing. “We often forget it, but digital technology is not just about sending and receiving signals, it is an infrastructure that presents negative externalities,” underlines Florence Paulhiac Scherrer.
It is also a matter of these services remaining accessible to all while access to the Internet, especially mobile, can weigh heavily in the consumer basket and older generations do not necessarily master its use.
Humans and the environment as targets
In Montreal, several multidisciplinary research groups are exploring concrete solutions to address these problems.
Founded in 2020, the Next Generation Cities Institute generates sustainable innovations in mobility, buildings, urban design, access to green spaces, systems and infrastructure management, among others. “The term new generation city is a conscious choice that takes into account the needs of the next generation of citizens. It is more focused on people and the environment than smart cities ever intended to be,” underlines Michael Bossert, who cites the UN’s new urban agenda as a reference framework for the work of the team.
“Technological innovation is only a means”, argues in the same direction Florence Paulhiac Scherrer who describes the work of her research-innovation chair as centered on the needs of individuals.
Research at the heart of change
To answer this, research can rely on its ability to make diagnoses while taking into account the constraints and benefits for all stakeholders, believes the researcher. “We provide a multidimensional analysis to ensure that the search for a solution does not lie solely in technology, or the protection of the environment or that of the less fortunate, but at a point of balance. »
This neutrality is also what allows research centers, with the help of cutting-edge tools, to develop scenarios in an objective manner. “We can examine entire urban systems using digital tools such as 3D city models, and why not propose elements of fun solutions,” illustrates Michael Bossert, whose institute seeks to bring developers around the same table , citizens, civil servants and representatives of the private sector. “This helps them understand what a situation means for other stakeholders and it stimulates co-creation. »
This collaborative approach, which UQAM also adopts, provides notable support to decision-makers, especially since researchers are involved in establishing governance frameworks that support the chosen solutions. These efforts also include information work for citizens so that they can appropriate the tools developed. “We like our routines. To adopt a new behavior, we must understand the benefits to be gained from it. This requires appropriate communication and the possibility for people to take part in decisions,” emphasizes Michael Bossert.
Finally, the power of research is that of transmitting knowledge. A point dear to Florence Paulhiac Scherrer who insists on the mission of universities to train future generations of professionals and researchers, particularly in terms of sustainable urban development. “Teaching is the heart of our profession. We train students by trying to show them what they can bring to decision-makers and professionals to move forward in this field. »
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