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  #1  
Old Posted Feb 20, 2013, 3:26 PM
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Smart City Ideas

I'm not sure what else to call this thread, if anyone can think of a better name I'm sure one of our mods would be willing to change it for us!

This thread will be used for coming up with different ideas, almost separate from development regulations, that could make St. John's a "smarter city". Hopefully in a few months we can look at our ideas, compile a questionnaire sheet, and send them off to municipal election candidates to get their ideas!
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  #2  
Old Posted Feb 20, 2013, 4:52 PM
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So just to add to what I started. One of the definitions of a smart city is;

Quote:
A developed urban area that creates sustainable economic development and high quality of life by excelling in multiple key areas; economy, mobility, environment, people, living, and government. Excelling in these key areas can be done so through strong human capital, social capital, and/or ICT infrastructure.
http://www.businessdictionary.com/de...#ixzz2LSVMWlTO

Quote:
25 Technologies Every Smart City Should Have

You think cities are crowded now? By 2030, more than 5 billion people will live in urban settings. But before we get to that kind of population density, we have to optimize our cities. We need to make them smarter and better; technology can help.

Cities all around the world work with developers and contractors to make city living better, whether it's improving the timing of traffic lights or creating a useful app, which becomes more powerful as smartphone penetration continues to increase. Apps and well-implemented technology can help cash-strapped governments save money and, be more efficient. We put together a list of the technology that we want to see in every major city. If we missed the item on your urban tech wish list, leave us a note in the comments.

Open-data initiatives and hackathons, like New York City's BigApps competition, which produce useful and resource-saving apps to improve cities and keep citizens informed. Things like air quality, restaurant sanitation scores, building inspection scores and impending legislation should be readily available for all citizens.

Parking apps that show drivers where the nearest available parking spot it. These will save commuters time, gas, emissions and money, while also easing the flow of traffic.

Apps that let users "adopt" city property — trash cans, call boxes, trees, fire hydrants, etc. — so the city doesn't have to spend money sending personnel to tend to them. Boston and Honolulu already have something similar in place, through Code for America, and these projects make citizens feel more invested in their neighborhood.

High-tech waste management systems. Pay As You Throw (PAYT) garbage disposal would encourage people to recycle more and waste less, while using tools like RFID could improve sorting so recyclable plastic bottles don't end up in landfills.

All-digital and easy-to-use parking payment systems — think EZ-pass for parking. We don't want to put receipts on the dashboard or be confined to time limits that make us run out to put more coins in the meter (if you're going to keep money meters, at least let us add money via an app). It's fine that you charge for parking, but improve the system.

A city guide app, with information about museums, parks, landmarks, public art, restaurants and real-time traffic data. These apps, like the ones in Baltimore, Ottawa, Charlotte and New Orleans, help citizens and tourists alike improve their experience in the city.

Touchscreens around the city — whether it's a kiosk to buy a MetroCard or the TVs in taxis — should be bacteria-resistant.

Wi-Fi in subway stations and on trains, along with weather information at every station.

Sustainable and energy efficient residential and commercial real estate.

Dynamic kiosks that display real-time information, concerning traffic, weather and local news, like Urbanflow in Helsinki.

App or social media-based emergency alert and crisis response systems — every citizen should have access to vital information. Whether it's an alert about a crime that just happened or advice for a storm approaching the city.

Police forces that use real-time data to monitor and prevent crime.

More public transit, high-speed trains, and bus rapid transit (BRT) to help citizens traverse the city with speed and low emissions.

OLED lights and surveillance in high-crime zones, like the 24/7 system coming to Kolkata

Charging stations, like the solar-powered Strawberry Tree in Serbia. They also function as bus stops and Wi-Fi hot spots.

Roofs covered with solar panels or gardens. You could even generate solar energy on bike paths, like Amsterdam's SolaRoad.

Bike-sharing programs, like in Paris, Washington, D.C., and the ones coming to Los Angeles and New York. And bike parking would be nice, too — maybe even underground and machine-driven, like the Eco Cycle in Japan.

A sharing economy, instead of a buying economy. If we share or rent from each other, we each need to buy and store fewer goods — think Rent the Runway, Netflix, Airbnb. On a similar note, there should be apps to help you find charities that actually need the stuff you want to toss, such as Zealous Good in Chicago.

Smart climate control systems in homes and businesses, for example, the Nest thermostat.

Widespread use of traffic rerouting apps, such as Greenway and Waze. The average person spends 60 hours in traffic each year, according to Greenway; these apps calculate the best route for each driver to speed up traffic flow and reduce CO2 emissions. They also ensure that a traffic jam on one boulevard doesn't just get displaced to another area.

Water-recycling systems, because while water covers 70% of the earth, we're not preserving the resource the way we should.

Crowdsourced urban planning, like Brickstarter.

Broadband Internet access for all citizens — maybe Google Fiber? — which will reduce the digital divide and spur economic growth.

Mobile payments. Everywhere. For food, apparel and public transportation.

Ride-sharing programs: Because it's a waste of money and gas to have two cars go the same place when neither is filled to capacity.
http://mashable.com/2012/12/26/urban-tech-wish-list/

This is another great site. http://www.smartcityconsulting.com/w...ty-diagnostics
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  #3  
Old Posted Feb 20, 2013, 7:56 PM
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One of the things that jumps out at me with the smart city definition is Mobility. Some of the ideas to increase mobility and ease traffic in your article are great. Bike share, app for parking, etc. Additionally, pedestrian mobility should be considered as well. Larger sidewalks, and areas built while thinking about the pedestrian first, are key.

Some of the discussion regarding the CBS downtown project could easily be applied to streets in St. John's, particularly the "big three" (Topsail, Kenmount, Torbay).
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  #4  
Old Posted May 20, 2013, 10:12 PM
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Nobody liked this thread I guess...
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  #5  
Old Posted May 20, 2013, 10:18 PM
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I never saw this thread during it's original run, hmm.

Mr. Jane actually posted a really nice idea for a downtown tram concept in another thread that would definitely be defined as smart. I'll try and think of a few things to post tomorrow (my hangover is too great to think right now )
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  #6  
Old Posted May 21, 2013, 10:55 PM
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I never saw it till now either! lol
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  #7  
Old Posted May 22, 2013, 1:13 AM
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Well there's no excuse for the two of you not to make some well informed comments!!
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  #8  
Old Posted Jun 15, 2013, 10:17 PM
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Video Link


http://infosthetics.com/archives/201....html#extended

Real-time animated, motion signs to be developed for easier movement throughout the City!
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  #9  
Old Posted Jun 16, 2013, 1:15 AM
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Them looks cool!

Maybe once they become popular and commonplace in other cities aross the globe, we might get them 30 years later after much opposition to people who will say they'll give us all cancer and headaches...
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  #10  
Old Posted Jun 16, 2013, 3:27 AM
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Fixed that video link for you:

Video Link
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  #11  
Old Posted Jun 16, 2013, 9:49 AM
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Thanks - I have no clue how to post Youtube links. Isn't it the [ YOUTUBE ] [ /YOUTUBE] cmd?
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