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Smart Mobility by Cristina Ruiz

  • crisrhdetoro
  • Jan 22, 2025
  • 6 min read


PART 1:  Smart Green Cities (350 words)


According to Dameri (2013), “A smart city is a well-defined geographical area, in which high technologies such as ICT, logistics, energy production, and so on, cooperate to create benefits for citizens in terms of well-being, inclusion and participation, environmental quality, intelligent development; it is governed by a well-defined pool of subjects, able to state the rules and policy for the city government and development”. Smart green cities embody the principles of sustainability and advanced technologies to create environmentally friendly and efficient geographical areas that offer a high quality of life to their residents. The key driving force behind smart cities is the development of technology, particularly the Internet of Things (IoT), which enables the interconnection and integration of various factors within an urban area, facilitating the provision of digital services. Key aspects of smart green cities include energy efficiency, prioritizing energy conservation, and utilizing renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power. Sustainable transportation options, including electric vehicles, ridesharing services, and public transportation, are also essential. Additionally, smart green cities focus on waste and water management, aiming to reduce waste production and conserve resources. The development of digital infrastructure is crucial to enable connectivity and communication among various systems. By effectively integrating smart technologies and sustainable practices, smart green cities can significantly reduce their environmental impact by minimizing resource consumption and carbon emissions. Data analytics plays a crucial role in resource allocation and optimization, leading to improved waste management practices. Furthermore, the adoption and expansion of sustainable transportation systems contribute to creating cleaner urban environments. As explained by Batty et al. (2012), smart cities have the potential to address various complex challenges. For instance, they can enhance public safety by responding to crime more swiftly. They can also impose high standards on business activities, benefiting the business community. Additionally, smart cities foster increased communication by connecting businesses, citizens, and systems through universal and affordable high-speed connectivity. 

Word count: 317


Batty, M., Axhausen, K. W., Giannotti, F., Pozdnoukhov, A., Bazzani, A., Wachowicz, M., ... & Portugali, Y. (2012). Smart cities of the future. The European Physical Journal Special Topics, 214, 481-518. DOI: 10.1140/epjst/e2012-01703-3


PART 2:  Data About Smart Cities (350 words)


Several articles have caught my attention, discussing the importance of sustainable construction in the development of smart cities. I believe this aspect is crucial because our cities are constantly evolving and growing. Green construction represents a significant portion of building activity, and its growth rate has outpaced general construction in recent years. There has been substantial investment in green technologies, indicating that green construction will continue to flourish. When green building became more prevalent, the U.S. green building council launched a system called LEED, which provided a foundation for markets to transition toward sustainable alternatives. LEED offered a way to quantify benefits that were previously considered difficult to measure consistently. It brought attention to factors such as energy and water efficiency, green materials, and indoor air quality in building projects across the country and the world. This created new opportunities and incentivized the adoption of new measures. The Leed rating system serves as a simplified guide for building project teams to address complex and competing issues on a global scale. It combined mandatory and optimal strategies within a framework that rewards successful projects with certification. LEED promotes action in six main areas: location and transportation, sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality. An example of a sustainable building that received a LEED certificate is Bren Hall on our own campus at UCSB. Some of the sustainable practices implemented in this building include: optimizing the site to take advantage of sea breezes, reusing concrete curbing as the base for asphalt, diverting the existing parking lot from landfill and reusing it, using chopped-up small plants as mulch, preserving and protecting trees and many other measures. In our rapidly developing world, it is essential to consider the environment in every aspect of city development. Another example is the vertical green system, which for example, contributes to reducing the energy demands of buildings by providing shade and insulation. They cool down public spaces, sequester carbon, reduce pollution levels, and help biodiversity. If all buildings from now on adhere to the sustainability guidelines provided by the LEED system and explore innovative ways to make their structures environmentally friendly while promoting biodiversity, we can take a significant step in reducing climate change. By embracing sustainable practices and incorporating elements like vertical green systems, buildings can become strong contributors to the reduction of our carbon footprint as well. 

Word count: 390


Worden, K., Hazer, M., Pyke, C., & Trowbridge, M. (2020). Using LEED green rating systems to promote population health. Building and Environment, 172, 106550. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2019.106550

file:///Users/crisruiz/Downloads/READING%20LEED%20v4%20Impact%20Category%20and%20Point%20Allocation%20Process_Overview_0%20(1).pdf

file:///Users/crisruiz/Downloads/Discretionary%20 Readings%20 green-building-economic-impact-study.pdf


PART 3:  Open Data for Smart Cities (350 words)

Open data is crucial for various reasons as it promotes transparency and accountability by making information accessible to the public, allowing citizens to scrutinize government actions and hold institutions accountable. It also drives innovation and economic growth by providing a foundation for entrepreneurs, researchers, and developers to create new products and services. Open data enables evidence-based decision making by providing access to reliable and up-to-date information. It also addresses social impact and facilitates collaboration and research. An example of an open data initiative that highlights its importance is InfoAmazonia. InfoAmazonia is a Brazil Based nonprofit organization focused on reporting deforestation in the Colombian Amazon through the use of satellite imagery, interactive maps, and crowdsourcing. Its primary objective is to raise awareness among citizens about deforestation in their own country while increasing accountability for public policies. Colombia is home to a significant portion of the Amazon rainforest, known as the Colombian Amazonas region, which boasts rich biodiversity and indigenous cultures. However, the region faces various challenges, particularly deforestation and illegal mining, which have significant environmental impacts. InfoAmazonia utilizes data from the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology, and Environmental Studies of Colombia, and combines it with geolocated stories generated by journalists. To implement an open data platform in Colombia, InfoAmazonia collaborated with organizations such as Dejusticia, El Espectador, and the Amazon Conservation team. This collaboration enhances the platform’s effectiveness and expands its reach. In conclusion, InfoAmazonia is important for several reasons. It raises awareness about environmental issues, provides evidence to support reports on deforestation, exposes inadequate policies, and sheds light on illegal activities. It encourages citizen engagement by allowing individuals to access information about their local environments and contribute their observations or data. Furthermore, it facilitates collaboration among researchers, scientists, and environmental organizations. Open data platforms like InfoAmazonia are crucial for ensuring accountability and addressing the threats posed to endangered areas by illegal activities. These technological advancements help prevent further damage to wildlife areas worldwide, which are essential in combating climate change and preserving our environment. 

Word count: 333

Link for InfoAmazonia platform: https://colombia.infoamazonia.org/


PART 4:  Provide a Summary of your Group’s Presentation(350 words)


My group and I presented on the topic of smart mobility, which aims to transform transportation systems to reduce negative environmental and social impacts while providing increased options for people and businesses. It involved integrating advanced technologies and intelligent systems to improve transportation efficiency, accessibility, safety, and sustainability. By applying digital solutions, data analytics, and connectivity, smart mobility optimizes the movement of people and goods. Our current transportation system faces several challenges. Firstly, there is a high number of accidents. As reported in his lecture notes, by Konstadinos (2023), there were approximately 38,680 accidents in the year 2020 alone. Additionally, congestion is a constant issue due to the larger number of vehicles on the road, resulting in significant time delays. Moreover, transportation is a major contributor to climate change, with air pollution and energy consumption being substantial concerns. Lastly, limited public transportation, particularly in the United States compared to other countries, creates accessibility issues for citizens living in suburban areas. Suburban sprawl, which is prominent in the United States, exacerbates these challenges. It leads to increased land use, reducing agricultural land and open spaces. The expansion of infrastructure to support sprawling development contributes to traffic congestion and longer commuting times. However, several measures have been implemented to enhance smart mobility and address these transportation challenges. Intelligent transportation systems play a crucial role in improving traffic management and providing real-time information to travelers. Shared mobility services, such as ride-sharing platforms like Uber and Lyft, as well as bike and scooter-sharing programs, help reduce the number of cars on the road. Efforts have also been made to promote electric mobility through the use of electric vehicles and the exploration of autonomous trucks and cars, Connected and autonomous vehicles enhance transportation safety and efficiency. Additionally, smart parking solutions have been introduced, utilizing sensors and real-time data to assist drivers in finding available parking spaces more efficiently. These initiatives aim to improve transportation efficiency, reduce congestion, enhance safety, and promote sustainability. By embracing smart mobility concepts and implementing these technologies and solutions, we can create a transportation system that is more efficient, accessible, and environmentally friendly. 


Goulias, Konstadinos. “Smart Mobility.” Geog 111c: Smart Green Cities. Spring 2023. University of California Santa Barbara, Goleta, CA. Lecture. 


Word count: 348 


 
 
 

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