Growing urbanization rates and climate change have long posed demanding challenges for modern cities. The COVID-19 pandemic has sharply intensified the struggle of governments to keep their cities safe while upholding quality of life standards. From polluted air caused by wildfires to power outages caused by hurricanes, cities will be more and more affected by climate change and health crises. Therefore, the need for cities to be able to react quickly to these crises while becoming more efficient and safer overall has only been amplified over the last couple of years.
The potential of Smart Cities in California and Germany
Using data and technologies that digitalize infrastructure and streamline city operations is already common practice in cities worldwide. But intelligent technologies that connect urban systems can also help to make better, real-time decisions, increase the efficiency of energy usage, and improve the overall quality of life.
Fortunately, the pandemic has given a big boost to drive Smart City technologies and implementations. The Biden Administration’s $2 trillion infrastructure plan will help states and municipalities to meet their climate goals. California’s ambitious goals to get to 100% zero-carbon energy supply by 2045 and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030, will demand the implementation of Smart City technologies.
At the same time, the German government has recognized the crucial importance of fostering technologies to make cities more resilient for the future. Since 2019 it has funded Smart City model projects all over Germany. The Smart City market in Germany is expected to grow 17% annually which will result in an increase in sales of over EUR 46 billion within the next five years. In September of 2020, the German government announced an additional EUR 500 million of funding to be allocated for Smart City projects as part of a COVID relief package. In total, Germany is now investing EUR 1,250 billion to advance the development and implementation of urban technologies.
German Innovations in Efficiency and Safety
Emerging technologies such as AI, data analysis and security can help urban planners to meet energy goals, reduce costs and increase safety. German innovations in the field of IoT and Big Data have the potential to transform cities on both sides of the Atlantic:
Data Security
DRACOON is a highly secure, platform-independent software, and is available as a cloud or a hybrid version. It has been named a market leader by independent top analysts such as ISG. Various certifications attest DRACOON’s highest security standards. Its universal API offers a broad array of application fields, ranging from data exchange and workflow integration over an email communication to the complete modernization of file services.
Real-Time Data Visualization
Efficiency Systems offers a web-based plug & play standard IoT web service (DAPONA) for real-time data monitoring, with self-configurable web dashboards.
Electrical Safety
WITT is a specialist for monitoring DC railway systems. For almost half a century, Witt Solutions has been developing highly innovative technical solutions for national and international railway companies and supplying components for professional power monitoring to, among others, DC railways and energy suppliers.
Smart Infrastructure
HydroMapper offers cutting-edge technology for 3D high resolution underwater scanning, as well as smart-data solutions for their customers to maximize the benefit of digital port infrastructure solutions.
Smart Water Management
e.SIC is a service-oriented solution that combines various modules for the inspection and maintenance of critical infrastructures such as sewer systems, pipelines and tunnels.
Keeping the Momentum
Due to the increased demand for Smart City technologies on both sides of the Atlantic, we are organizing a two-session virtual conference to explore how German and American Smart City players can work together to advance the development of technologies that help to make cities safer and more sustainable.
I see opportunity […] around technology that not only collects data but helps cities, process it and turn it into policy.
Kate Kigongo- Senior Innovation Analyst for the City of West Hollywood
Next to Kate Kigono who will give insights about how the City of West Hollywood has realized its Smart City Strategic Plan, we will hear from German and American experts, like Paul Hoekstra from TNL Mobility about current projects and future trends in smart urban planning, energy efficiency, and safety technologies.
If you would like to join the discussion between our companies and experts, RSVP now for the first session of our virtual Smart City Innovations conference on September 28, 2021.
If you are interested in learning more about the latest trends and outlooks of smart urban mobility technologies, you can join our second session on September 30, 2021.
