Over the last decade, the concept of smart cities has been a recurring topic of discussion. However, for most cities around the world, it remains just that: a concept, an aspiration, and a vision that can still feel difficult to achieve.
In this article, we explore some of the best smart city projects from around the world that could be easily implemented in your municipality with the help of City as a Platform.
New York Reimagines Sidewalks on the Upper West Side
The demand for better use of sidewalks in New York City has grown significantly. Factors such as increased online shopping, food delivery services, ride-sharing platforms like Uber, and new micromobility options such as bicycles and scooters have made managing public space increasingly complex. The result is more traffic congestion and greater safety risks for pedestrians.
To address these challenges, the city launched the Smart Curbs initiative, which proposes a range of policies and technologies, including delivery micro-hubs, loading zones, sidewalk sensors, license plate-based parking meters, dedicated bicycle parking, and more.
In addition, New Yorkers were invited to contribute observations and suggestions regarding sidewalk management through an online feedback map.
How Could City as a Platform Help?
During the planning phase, City as a Platform would provide a clear view of the territory using Google Maps as the foundation within the AppBuilder. The platform already includes information about shops, restaurants, and other relevant locations.
Municipal teams could easily add points, comments, and citizen feedback directly onto the map.
Later, City as a Platform could integrate data from sensors, cameras, and other systems into a single environment, enabling continuous improvements to public spaces and allowing rapid resolution of congestion and safety issues while supporting efficient communication with operational teams.
Dubai Invests in Smart Waste Management
Dubai has implemented solar-powered smart waste containers equipped with high-precision sensors. Installed along major roads such as Sheikh Zayed Road, these containers monitor waste levels and notify a control center when they need to be emptied.
The containers feature separate compartments for general waste and recyclable materials, while solar energy powers both compaction and communication systems.
The solution, developed by Bigbelly, not only improves waste collection efficiency by reducing collection trips but also supports Dubai’s environmental goals by lowering carbon emissions and encouraging recycling.
How Could City as a Platform Help?
City as a Platform could provide a clear geographic view of all waste containers and their current fill levels.
The platform could also combine this information with data related to roadworks, real-time traffic conditions, and citizen-reported incidents.
This would make it possible to optimize collection routes while ensuring the highest level of service for residents through the use of multiple real-time information sources.
Los Angeles Engages Citizens in Reporting Problems
The MyLA311 platform allows Los Angeles residents to report issues such as potholes, broken streetlights, graffiti, and bulky items left on public roads.
The solution also allows users to track the progress and resolution of reported issues. Reports can be submitted through the website, mobile application, or by calling 311.
MyLA311 stands out because it integrates services from 11 city departments and provides access to 68 different service request categories, ensuring a fast and efficient response to everyday community needs.
How Could City as a Platform Help?
City as a Platform offers a similar solution called Incident Management.
Through this fully integrated solution, supported by real-time data, municipal employees and citizens can report incidents through a web application.
Incidents are automatically routed to the appropriate teams, which benefit from integrated tools designed to accelerate resolution and improve communication with citizens.
Citizens can track progress online and receive notifications whenever updates occur.
Singapore and Its Smart Nation Sensor Platform
Singapore uses an integrated management platform to monitor and respond to urban incidents.
The city has implemented a network of IoT sensors and robotic systems capable of detecting events such as floods, power outages, and traffic accidents, enabling rapid and efficient responses.
This initiative, known as the Smart Nation Sensor Platform (SNSP), collects data in real time to improve emergency response and urban service delivery.
The system can quickly detect critical situations and automatically alert relevant authorities, enabling coordinated action.
How Could City as a Platform Help?
City as a Platform already supports both manual incident reporting and the automatic creation of incidents based on sensor data.
The platform includes alerting mechanisms, automation rules, and predefined actions that can be triggered according to incoming information.
In this way, City as a Platform can effectively act as an SNSP, enabling intelligent management and response by operational teams.
Helsinki Uses Citizen Feedback to Plan the City
Helsinki faces an urgent need for new housing while remaining committed to creating environmentally and socially sustainable neighborhoods.
To identify practical and viable solutions, the city prioritized collecting citizen feedback on urban planning decisions, a process that is often complex and difficult to manage.
To support this effort, Helsinki adopted Maptionnaire, a map-based survey platform that allows residents to view development plans and provide feedback on planning decisions.
This collaborative mapping approach helped urban planning teams better understand residents’ preferences regarding new developments and conservation areas, enabling more informed and inclusive decision-making.
How Could City as a Platform Help?
City as a Platform could be used to collect online feedback through applications built on Google Maps. After analyzing citizen feedback and historical incident data, municipalities could incorporate these insights into future urban development plans.
The resulting plans could then be published online through City as a Platform and even embedded within municipal websites or other public-facing applications.
Buenos Aires Brings Transparency to Public Works
Buenos Aires has gained recognition for implementing BA Obras, a platform designed to increase transparency and efficiency in the management of public works projects.
The platform centralizes and organizes data related to more than 1,100 infrastructure projects, including housing developments, schools, transportation improvements, and green spaces.
Through BA Obras, citizens can access detailed information about each project, including contracts, completion percentages, timelines, and costs, helping reduce complaints and increase public trust.
This digital transformation initiative has significantly improved coordination between government departments while allowing residents to monitor project progress, particularly in the city’s most vulnerable areas.
How Could City as a Platform Help?
City as a Platform can centralize information related to infrastructure and public works projects, including housing developments and transportation improvements. This centralized approach improves interdepartmental coordination and promotes transparency by allowing citizens to access project information, progress updates, costs, timelines, and contractual details.
Does Portugal Have Similar Projects?
Every year, City as a Platform customers use our solution to advance their smart city strategies.
Examples include:
Vila Nova de Famalicão, which integrated municipal operations into a single platform and made information available to citizens.
Lisbon, with its traffic restrictions management solution integrated with Waze data.
Lagos, which simplified the online issuance of location plans and urban planning assessments.
Vale do Lobo, home to the world’s first Smart Resort, operated by Infralobo.
If you would like additional inspiration and examples, explore our article 7 Smart City Examples We Can Learn From.
And if your next question is “How do I implement this in my municipality?”, our guide on How to Turn Your Municipality into a Smart City Using an Urban Management Platform will help you structure the journey from planning through implementation.
As more cities recognize the benefits of becoming smart cities, platforms such as City as a Platform are becoming increasingly important.
They make it possible to reduce operational costs, improve public service responsiveness, and bring citizens closer to their local government in ways that were never previously possible.
Categories: Smart Cities
