Every country has a role in the creation of cities. This way they shape the future of the people living in such cities. This is achieved through the creation of job opportunities, technological innovations, and economic prosperity and generates novel ideas. With this in mind, cities become a national priority for Australia. Recently, Australia’s Smart Cities Plan was unveiled at the smart cities summit. This has seen the Australian government join other countries like Canada, Britain and the USA.
The smart cities plan together with the Australian government aim at shaping the cities through a coordinated and integrated policy and investment. This is achieved through a partnership of 3 tier government that ensures the creation of not only productive cities but also livable ones. Like any other smart city, the smart Australian towns deal with;
i. Housing
The plan of the intelligent cities aims at providing adequate housing residents. These housing will be located near or will be directly connected to the where jobs and services are. Besides, the houses will be highly affordable: this way many people will afford to live in such homes. When homes are made affordable within Australian cities, it only means people will be concentrated in this city. This feature will improve other aspects of their lives. Hence, we will have improved productivity across all major cities. Another feature that the smart cities plan considers is the placement of the housing. House that is connected to jobs by a proper transport network makes it easier for movements. This impacts positively on the lives of residents in economic and social aspects.
i. Employment, access, and transport
Cloud architect, Cybersecurity analyst, Industrial network engineer, Virtual reality specialist, Autonomous driving scientist, and data specialist and Energy efficiency engineer among others are some of the jobs a smart city will provide. Such jobs must be accessible. That means housing and transport system must be efficient. The plan proposes that housing will be located within the city, while the transport system will be flawless: This way people can benefit adequately from their jobs. In essence, the plan aspires to create 30 minutes of cities: reducing travel time and decongesting the cities. The broad objective is to connecting housing to jobs and services. A suggestion was made to form integrated transport and land use
ii. Livability and sustainability
The Australian government aims to provide sustainability and a high level of livability within the smart cities. To achieve this, a wide range of issues surrounding human life must be addressed. For instance;
Environmental concerns must be addressed. They include aspects such as pollution
- • Social and cultural issues
- • Improving social infrastructure services
- • Making transport more accessible
- • Decongesting cities
- • Environmental sustainability
- • Green urban spaces through the growing of trees
Besides, how does human health affect livability? Proper health will lead to improved living standards.
iii. Smart technology
Smart technology is an essential part of a smart city. The application of such technology covers a broader area within the smart cities. For, instance, the technology will be applied within the transport system, stimulate markets as well as develop other network efficiencies.
iv. Smart investment
There was a need to use smart investment approach when investing. The smart cities plan proposes that such plans will be essential for long term returns. They can be achieved through Innovative financing mechanism.