A further step being taken by real estate developers in Pakistan is to develop “Smart” residential and commercial real estate projects. That is, inculcating ‘Information and Communication Technologies’ in crafting the community to provide its residents state-of-the-art living.
Top real estate development and construction companies are taking a grave interest in the concept of ‘Smart City. After providing the taste of luxurious living, Smart Living will take the fleet beyond luxury and elite living styles. Before delving into a discussion of this hot trend among real estate developers, let us peek into what actually is the concept of a Smart City.
The main idea behind a Smart city is to embed ICT into the city’s functions in order to enhance operational efficiency, communication of information with the public, improved quality of governmental services, and welfare of citizens. In simple words, a Smart City uses technology in the provision of public services and settlement of issues. Through this ideation, authorities/government not only optimize the city operations and enhance economic growth but also polishes the life quality of its citizens. For instance, improving transportation services and their accessibility, upgrading social services, and endorsing a sustainable lifestyle. The subtlety of the concept lies in how current technology is being used rather than the quantity of technology available. Goals fixated on the improvement of policy efficiency, maximizing social inclusion, reduction of waste and inconvenience, and enhancing economic and social quality, infuses the value to the concept of a Smart City.
The idea of a Smart City is not novel. Its roots back in the ancient Roman Empire where cities were built on smart concepts to make life easier, such as water drainage systems and aqueducts. Fast-forwarding to the 1960s and 1970s, when the US Community Analysis Bureau directed services, took step to reduce poverty and strategically implemented plans to mitigate disasters through analysis of data which was collected using databases, cluster analysis, aerial photography, etc. Moving through generations of Smart City, where the first-generation smart city was launched by technology providers dispensed the idea of using technology in daily life, the second generation merged the technology with innovation and offered municipal solutions, while the third and current generation of the smart city created a social-inclusion based model with enhanced community engagement. Third-generation smart city model where technology providers and city leaders were exempted, was adopted by Vienna and it allowed citizens to invest o local solar plants and resolved issues of gender equality and affordable housing matters. Similarly, in Vancouver, citizens teamed up to create the Vancouver Greenest City 2020 Action Plan.
Operations of Smart City distinctly rely on various software, communication networks, user interfaces, and most importantly Internet of Things (IoT). Collectively these technological platforms provide the connected solutions to enhance the quality of life for the public. Further, we can elaborate working of Smart Cities in four steps where these connected IoT and technologies are used to enhance economic growth and living standards. The four steps are
- Collection: Real-time data is gathered throughout the city via smart sensors
- Analysis: the collected data is then assessed and analyzed which provides insights of city operations
- Communication: Robust communications networks are used to covey the insights gained through data analysis to the management and decision-makers
- Action: Management and authorities then take action with regards to the betterment of city operations, asset management, and enhancing the quality of living experience for residents
Besides this real-time data-based Smart Decision making, ICT involves the residents in a smart city ecosystem by allowing them to pair their mobile devices with the infrastructure of the city. Through this, costs could be reduced, enhance sustainability, streamline factors for instance energy distribution, and offer lessened traffic congestion and better air quality.
Need for Smart City
The focus of smart cities is to provide their residents an outclass living quality while catalyzing economic growth. That means, offering a package of mustered services with discounted costs for infrastructure. Another factor that spotlights the need for Smart Cities is the growing population in urban areas. A survey report indicates a rise from 54% to 66% of the world’s urban population. That is, over the next three decades, an addition of 2.5 billion individuals residing in cities. The futuristic approach to these statistics is to proactively manage social, economic, and environmental resources. Smart Cities make possible the efficient use of assets and infrastructure by authorizing a collaboration between citizens and government to manage resources and assets in the expanding urban population. Consequences of such initiatives include excellent living standards for citizens, adding value from current infrastructure thus generating new streams for revenue and saving money through operational efficiencies.
Challenges to a Smart City
Residents, businesspersons, and visitors must all be included in smart city functionalities and initiatives. Authorities and management must not only spread awareness of the benefits of Smart city technology being adopted, but they must also encourage residents to check and use open, democratic data. People are more inclined to participate if they are aware of what they are doing, and the potential advantages of technology-based residential schemes. Collaboration between the public and private sectors, as well as local inhabitants, is essential for developing smart citizens who are engaged and empowered to positively contribute to their city and community. Smart city initiatives should include strategies to make data visible and accessible to residents, usually via an open data site or a mobile app. This allows residents to interact with the data and learn how it is used. Residents may also be able to accomplish personal tasks such as checking their home’s energy use, paying bills, and locating efficient public transit using a smart city app.
Opponents of smart cities are concerned that authorities and management of smart cities might not keep data privacy and security, exposing the data that residents generate on a regular basis to the danger of hacking and misuse. Furthermore, the presence of sensors and cameras may be seen as an invasion of privacy or government spying. To remedy this, smart cities should be anonymized and should not include personally-identifying information. The problem of connection, however, is likely the most significant barrier that smart cities confront. Without a reliable connection, the hundreds of millions of IoT devices strewn around the city would be rendered useless, and the smart city would be rendered inoperable.
Smart Cities around the Globe
Despite the challenges Smart Cities face, a number of Smart Cities are in process of development and implementation, and there are a few which are at the furthest in development. These include
- Vienne, Austria
- Barcelona, Spain
- Dubai, UAE
- Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Kansas City, Missouri, USA
- Hong Kong, China
- Melbourne, Australia
- Singapore,
- San Diego, California, USA
- Toronto, Canada
- Tokyo, Japan
- Reykjavik, Iceland
- London, England
- New York City, USA
Following this global trend and need for the future, Pakistan’s top real estate developers have offered Smart City Housing Schemes and one of them is Dream Valley Smart City Islamabad. Dream Valley is a truly smart city providing smart urban facilities to its residents. This smart city in Islamabad is based on exceptional infrastructure ensuring absolutely Eco-Friendly Environment. Dream Valley Smart City aspired to offer a marvelous living experience that is beyond the luxury and sophistication of Islamabad, through exclusive layout plan, design, and civic facilities. A housing scheme in Islamabad is not only a masterpiece of modern development but also inculcates unique features of the true smart city. Residential amenities like smart solutions for electricity, gas, drinking water, sewage system, carpeted roads, green belts, parks, integrated security system, and load shedding free residential land. Complete underground wiring and 24/7 integrated security service feature this smart city for smart investment.
This Smart City Housing Scheme comes with a self-owned solar power station which is a key feature for cost reduction and economic growth for its residents. Maximum designing of roads by nature contour makes it absolutely eco-friendly housing scheme in Islamabad. Dream Valley Smart City also features a Smart communication system thus brisk circulation of messages and information regarding issues around the society. This also provides value to its residents by reducing the communication gap between authorities and residents. Structural plans of sewage water disposal, sewage treatment plants, and rainwater collection canals outshine the management plans for any smart housing scheme.
To provision an eco-friendly environment, Dream Valley Smart City Islamabad integrates ideas of the Green Building concept, Horticulture with Weather and Terrain, Fruit Gardening, and Re-harvesting of Rainwater. The development team is quite specific to the preservation of natural landscapes while developing and constructing Dream Valley residential and commercial land. Technological infrastructure conjoined with security and emergency unit ensure timely response and management of natural disasters which enhance the chances of rescue.
Dream Valley Smart City takes the sophisticated living experience in Islamabad to next level and provides an iconic and lavish lifestyle. As I mentioned earlier that Smart City is not about the quantity of technology used, it is the fair and efficient consumption of current resources. This housing scheme in Islamabad satisfies this statement through is eco-friendly and smart features.
The icing on the cake is the location of Dream Valley Smart City. It is situated at an ideal location on Murree Expressway and the scenic views of Korang River and the glorious hills surrounding it are beyond description. Proximity to nature enhances the peace and tranquility in the lives of its residents. I cannot wait to have my house booked in this magnificent place. Indeed, a house in dream valley is not just an address, but a lifestyle.
Do you want serenity in your life? Dream Valley Smart City is the best option for True Smart Investment.
