What is a Smart City?
A city using Information & Communication Technologies (ICT) or any product that will store, retrieve, manipulate, transmit or receive information electronically in a digital form.
Why is it important?
For greater efficiency, to enhance quality and performance of urban services. Additionally, to increase sustainability, which reduces costs and resource consumption. Finally, encouraging community by engaging more effectively and actively with its citizens.
These traits have led to Tactical Urbanism, defined as low-cost, temporary changes to improve local gathering places. These changes vary in terms of sanctionablity, meaning the extent of which they have been coordinated through the local municipality. The more an intervention is sanctioned, the more standardization can occur. However, this planning can make the process expensive and slow. On the other end of the spectrum, an unsanctioned activity has the potential to be inexpensive and quick, but may lack the long-term goals of coordinated planning. Using Smart City technology, specifically smart phone apps, can incorporate all of the benefits of tactical interventions, while limiting the existing disadvantages.
Tactical interventions within a structured framework are the most efficient catalyst for urban growth.
Status: School Project
Location: Spokane, WA, US
My Role: Co-designer
Additional Credits: Jess Small, teammate
