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24 August 2022

The Role of Big Data in Developing Smart Cities

Cities that grow in the world today make use of big data solutions. It makes them great when they store, analyze, and back-up big data they collect from their areas.

Big data is making a significant impact in cities that invest more in it. So, in this article, expect to understand the critical aspects that smart cities enjoy from big data. But let's start with the basics of smart cities and big data.

What is a Smart City?

It's a city that uses sensors and intelligent devices to collect, store, and analyze data. The information that these cities collect helps run plans and manage resources.

Also, the data helps cities improve services and living standards. A smart city's key goal is enhancing its functions and generating more income. Remember, it happens as the city improves the life quality of its citizens.

How Big Data Impacts Smart Cities

Cities that already invest more in big data enjoy many amazing outcomes. Please take a look at them.

1. Improves Public Safety

For any city to grow, people living in it must ensure they are secure. Analyzing big data in cities helps the authorities to understand the historical and geographical info of areas prone to crimes. So, it becomes easier for cities to know where to invest more and make the area safe for everyone.

2. Better Transport Management

Managing traffic in modern cities is becoming a challenging task for cities. But big data comes to the rescue for smart cities by allowing them to study past transportation data. The information helps cities know what trends can reduce traffic congestion. Also, smart cities use big data to reduce the number of accidents.

3. Promotes Proper Spending

Once a city makes the proper improvements, expect it to achieve results that will make it gain money. Big data helps the cities plan their budget well and effectively upgrade their zones.

4. Sustainable Growth

Smart cities use big data to monitor their development. It becomes easier for them to make necessary improvements in various areas to make the cities look great. The technology helps cities with a clear picture of the proper places that need much development.

Example of City Activities that can be Smart

Below are some of the activities smart cities enjoy from investing in big data.

  • Smart Transport

Smart cities can use big data technology to prevent traffic and road accidents. It happens through navigation apps, signal control systems, and smart cards for the drivers.

  • Smart Water and Energy

Here, cities use data about water and energy consumption. The analysis helps authorities to regulate the supplies and avoid wastage.

  • Smart Healthcare

Cities enjoy the usage of big data because it improves health treatment. Hospitals can check for health problems through data collected by the technology of intelligent devices and sensors.

Smart City Data Storage

The safe-keeping of a smart city's massive amount of data is essential. Here is how the cities store both real-time and archived data.

1. Smart Cloud Storage

Cloud storage is one of the best modes of massive data storage. Through the solid-state drives in the data centers, cities use the cloud to remove redundant info and secure data through encryption. Also, the cloud has more payment options than on-site traditional data centers.

2. Hybrid Data Stores

It’s a combo between smart cloud storage and edge computing. The storage helps cities make wise choices that come from real-time alerts and archived sources.

3. Edge Computing

This technology is excellent and cheaper for cities that want to process data close to the source. It's cheaper than streaming data to a remote location. Here, cities use artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor activities and detect problems.

Smart cities get many benefits from the big data they collect. This information comes from smart devices and sensors. The massive data needs proper and secure storage like cloud, edge computers, and hybrid data stores that allow cities to access the data. Also, the analysis and storage of big data help cities reduce crime, improve health, know how to invest in the city, and manage resources.

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