The capital of Pakistan, Islamabad is the country’s second most populated city and its sixth largest. Located an hour away from the capital city of Rawalpindi and in close proximity to the city of Lahore, it has become an important hub for trade, services and education in the country. The city, which was initially established as a military cantonment by the British during their rule in India, has grown into a modern metropolis that houses several public and private institutions of national importance.
Capital Smart City is poised to make this fast-growing metropolis even more vibrant by encouraging smart developments such as digital town planning, open space networks, high-quality infrastructure systems and sustainable urban design. Read on to know more about Capital Smart City Islamabad
What is Capital Smart City?
A Smart City is an urban area with a specific focus on smart development and management, using digital technologies and innovative solutions to improve everyday life. This can be a community, a city or a whole country. It is a concept that is gaining popularity all over the world. The concept of a Capital Smart City is not new – the idea has been around since the 1950s. However, it didn’t gain much traction until the advent of Internet and mobile technologies in the late 1990s. The core of a Smart City lies in efficient operations and management of city services, which is possible with the help of digital technologies.
Some of the key features that make a city smart are: – Effective and efficient communications infrastructure, including broadband and high-speed Internet connectivity; – Intelligent transportation system, including advanced road, rail, and air transportation systems, together with efficient and effective public transportation services; – Highly efficient, effective and reliable energy systems, including renewable energy; – Effective and efficient waste management systems, including smart systems for collection, treatment and disposal; – Adequate water supply systems, including smart water distribution networks; – Effective and efficient public services and utilities, including smart city governance systems, utilities and distribution systems; – Healthy and safe living environments, including air quality control systems, using advanced technologies; and – Open, interoperable ecosystems for smart city ecosystems that include a range of sensors and data collection systems.
Why Is Capital Smart City Important?
The idea of creating a smart city has been around since the 1950s, but it took a decade for the concept to take off in India with the formation of the Indian National Innovation Mission in 2009. This mission was later renamed as National Innovation Mission Plan (NIM Plan). Since then, a number of countries have announced plans to make their cities smart.Furthermore, the Capital Smart City Islamabad is ideal and provides its residents with a close-to-nature and fuss-free lifestyle.
Some of the cities which have registered big leaps in the smart city race include Sydney, Dubai, Kolkata, Sao Paulo, Johannesburg, Bangkok, Manila, and Mumbai. In Pakistan too, some cities have tried to implement smart city initiatives. However, it is only in the last four-five years that the concept has gained traction in the country. Today, there are a few initiatives under way to explore the potential of making Islamabad a smart city.
Benefits of a Capital Smart City
A smart city offers a range of benefits to the citizens of the city, besides being efficient and productive. Some of these include: – Improved Quality of Life: Citizens enjoy a better quality of life with reduced maintenance and operational costs for the city. For example, a smart city uses smart technologies for managing waste and water, electricity, transportation, etc., resulting in reduced operational costs. – Increased Employment Opportunities.
The smart city concept has the potential to significantly increase job opportunities through the development of new technology-based industries. A smart city can also host start-ups and entrepreneurs who can use the city’s open ecosystems to create value. – Promising Future: A smart city is expected to be a catalyst for growth by attracting investors, entrepreneurs and businesses, as well as creating a favourable investment environment.
Key Terms You’ll Need to Know
– IoT – Internet of Things is the collection of devices that are connected to the Internet. – AR/VR – Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are computer-generated experiences that merge the real and imaginary worlds using technology. – Wearables – A wearable device is an item that is worn on the body, such as a watch, bracelet, or necklace. – IoT-Enabled Applications – A microcontroller-based network device, such as a sensor, is connected to the IoT system via a wireless link. – Smart Cities – A smart city is a city that has been designed and engineered to improve the efficiency of people and businesses through smart technologies.
How To Get Involved in Capital Smart City?
If you are interested in making Islamabad a more vibrant and connected city, there are several ways you can get involved. Here are some suggestions: – Explore the Potential of Smart City Initiatives – Once you have explored the potential of Islamabad as a smart city, you can explore the potential of other cities as well. – Attend Conferences on Smart City Development – Conferences such as the Future Cities Summit, Future Cities India, and LLDM (World Smart City Forum) provide an opportunity to explore the latest smart city initiatives and learn new skills. – Attend Meetups on Smart Cities – A number of meetups are held on social platforms such as Facebook and Twitter to discuss issues related to smart city development. – Contribute to Open Ecosystem Projects – An open ecosystem project is one that promotes participation from multiple stakeholders. – Create Your Own Open Ecosystem Project – You can take inspiration from other projects and create a similar one of your own, with your own vision and business model. – Support Government Initiatives – Government initiatives such as the GIS renovation plan and the development of a smart city plan will help Islamabad become a smart city.
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Conclusion
Capital Smart City is a government initiative that aims to transform Islamabad from a non-smart city to a smart city by 2020. The city was ranked among the 5 worst cities in the world for many years until it was chosen to be transformed into a smart city. The initiative involves developing a detailed and integrated plan for the smart city based on the recommendations of a high-level committee. We can only hope that the transformation happens sooner than later as a more vibrant, connected, and sustainable Islamabad will benefit the entire country.
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