General

One of the key areas for the application of AIDC technology in the 21st Century is in the development of intelligent communities and addressing some of the challenges facing sustainable urban development.

The rapid development of urbanisation is a major global concern.  For the first time in history, more than half the world’s population lives in urban areas. Over 90 percent of urbanisation is taking place in the developing world.  An estimated one billion people currently live in urban slums in developing countries. Cities need to prepare to absorb the demographic growth to minimize the expansion of slums.  Properly managed urban development can help in other areas as well as living standards for our citizens.  For example, it can be crucial to the climate change agenda. Today, an estimated 70 percent of greenhouse gases emissions come from cities.

AIDC technology can help in the design of more energy efficient cities, and also reduce travel time and costs for urban residents and businesses.

Examples of AIDC technology in this area include:

• Smartcard based kiosks in city centres providing public service information to citizens
• The use of RFID or smartcards to manage integrated travel payment solutions
• RFID-tagged buidings to manage improved energy efficiency
• Biometrics to improve building security and enhance citizen safety

White Paper on Intelligent Communities

The AIDC Centre has published a White Paper covering the general background to the concept of intelligent communities as a technique for delivering sustainable urban improvement. The paper, entitled, "Strategies And Methodology For Sustainable Urban Improvement Using Intelligent Technologies" also discusses wider issues to do with Intelligent Communities and touches on the concept of the Internet of Things.

The paper has been published as part of the Centre's work to promote discussion about use of new technology to improve the design and delivery of social support activities within the modern Digital City.

To view a copy of the paper, please click the highlighted link.

White Paper - Strategies And Methodology For Sustainable Urban Improvement Using Intelligent Technologies

For more infomation

For more information on some of the key issues facing the modern urban environment, you may wish to visit some of the websites shown below.  Please note, these are external to AIDC (UK) Ltd and we have no control over the content of these sites:

• Communities and Local Government - The UK Government Department focused on developing communities
• Urbact - A European Exchange and Development Programme promoting sustainable urban development
• The World Bank - A source of support and assistance to developing countries around the world

Click here for a list of useful contacts in the overall area of urban issues.