Cities are getting smarter, thanks to a digital toolbox that can help urban centres in the Caribbean overcome systemic challenges
[dropcap]I[/dropcap]magine a city that talked to itself. Garbage bins that alert the council when they need to be emptied, road sensors that tell drivers about available parking spots or suggest ways to avoid traffic, digital kiosks that sync with phones to rate nearby restaurants, LED streetlights that brighten when there’s a crowd, and dim if no-one’s around.
This futuristic vision has become a reality around the world as population growth and technological advances combine to make cities smarter. More than half of the world’s population live in urban areas and, by 2070, that figure will rise to 70% according to the United Nations. As people flock to these population centres it becomes more challenging to balance their interests with that of the natural environment, and maximise space while minimising environmental footprint. To ensure sustainable growth, city planners now have a range of digital tools at their disposal and have been putting those tools to use to develop so-called ‘smart’ cities where urban data is collected and processed in order to improve the city’s operations and ultimately the lives of its citizens.
MAKING THE CARIBBEAN SMARTER
So far most of the innovation in smart cities has been around traffic technology and energy use, but the potential is limitless. In the Caribbean, smart technologies can help urban areas deal with challenges that are unique to the region such as high crime rates, poor waste management, high energy costs and inadequate transportation infrastructure.
The Caribbean has been undergoing rapid, uncontrolled and disorganized urbanisation since the 1970s, which has put strain on basic services such as sanitation, housing, drinking water, health and education. Traditional city management models need an upgrade if they are to address these lingering problems.
The first, and most vital component, of becoming a smart city is developing the necessary digital capability. Data collection and communication is paramount, and the most integrated systems are those which use a combination of broadband networks, cloud computing, smart mobile devices, analysis software and sensors to collect that information. Investing in ICTs paves the way for one of the early steps in developing smart cities — digitization of public services. Caribbean governments can look to public-private partnerships to bring onboard the necessary expertise to achieve this, and will not only improve the lives of citizens with better bureaucracy but also lower costs, reduce environmental impact and create jobs.
SMALL STEPS
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) estimates that turning a medium-sized city (with 250,000-500,000 inhabitants) into a smart city would cost between US$20m and US$30m. However, it further projects that a successful pilot project could be run with a budget of US$7m. Either way, these are big numbers which can easily intimidate small island nations.
Proponents of smart cities argue that the cost savings more than cover the initial outlay. Energy consumption could be dramatically reduced through smart grids that turn off lights and other appliances when not needed; sensors can identify leaks in water distribution networks to minimise waste; more effective disaster alert and forecasting services to minimise the economic impact of hurricanes, flooding and other natural crises. Taken together, these and other cost-cutting services can result in significant savings for cities.
While taking the leap to getting smarter is daunting, some Caribbean states have seen the necessity and are making moves in that direction. Kingston, Jamaica, is on its way to becoming the Caribbean’s first smart city with an innovative energy project launched last year. The initiative fitted over 300 LED smart streetlights in the New Kingston area that can report bulb failures, monitor energy use and schedule maintenance checks. Montego Bay has also been identified by the Jamaican government as a pilot smart city. Through its Emerging and Sustainable Cities project, the IDB is working with Jamaica to develop the city’s technology and infrastructure. The country has developed a roadmap that aims to tackle issues such as crime, transportation and sanitation by 2030.
Another Caribbean city identified by the IDB as a possible smart hub is Nassau in The Bahamas. Last year, the Bahamian government joined forces with the International Telecommunications Union to draw up the BSmart Bahamas Initiative, a masterplan for incorporating technology into the provision of public services.
Earlier this year, Guyana’s National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD) officially launched its first SmartRoom – a digitally integrated space where technology is used to coordinate meetings, link up with remote workers and record and share documentation. Touring the facility in January, the CARICOM Secretariat praised NCERD’s efforts and heralded the SmartRoom concept as one of the first steps towards smart cities. They also spoke of their hope that the model would be extended throughout the region.
PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST
To quote former IDB President Enrique V Iglesias: “It is not enough to have smart cities; smart citizens are also necessary.” People are at the core of smart cities — managing, leading and innovating to create an environment that benefits everyone in the community and allows for sustainable growth.
Smart cities offer opportunities for collaboration on a wide scale, between the public and private sector, between government and citizens. In terms of funding, the IDB urges Caribbean states to make use of local, regional and international partners as well as developing innovators within their own communities that can contribute. Urban transformation on this scale can only be achieved through sound governance, ongoing dialogue and a clear vision for the future.
The Internet of Things promises a “smart” world where devices connect to share data — technology that could deliver significant economic and social benefits to Caribbean countries
We live in a communication age and, in today’s world, even machines can talk to each other. Televisions that connect to your computer to play your favorite clips. Phones that talk to your car’s operating system so you can get your messages on the road. A home security system that syncs to your laptop so you can turn on lights and view your property from afar. These are all examples of the” Internet of Things” (IoT) — a vast network that connects enabled devices so they can communicate and share data.
Analyst firm Gartner predicts that by 2020 there will be over 26 billion connected devices. As the technology improves, the buzz around the IoT has grown and more and more ‘smart’ cities are springing up. Opportunities abound in this cutting-edge space, but is the Caribbean ready?
A LONG ROAD
The IoT has not generally been at the forefront of telecom discussion in the Caribbean, as regulators are preoccupied with more pressing concerns such as ensuring reliable service provision, customer protection, competition and data security.
Most would acknowledge that the region falls behind when it comes to global innovation. “We are lagging behind and that is because we do not have the sort of regulatory environment in a number of places that encourages investment,” says Julian Wilkins, Chairman of the Caribbean National Telecommunications Organisation (CANTO).
“If you want stakeholders to invest, you have to have an environment that is right for investment. We are somewhat behind from a technology perspective.”
As Caribbean countries work to upgrade to 5G networks, however, this could pave the way for IoT applications. Providing the necessary infrastructure and support for the technology could bring significant social and economic benefits to small Caribbean states.
“The Internet of Things is still pretty new; it is in a hype cycle phase right now,” says Scott MacKenzie, CEO of cloud computing firm Cloud Carib. MacKenzie, who has over 25 years’ experience in the IT industry, offers cloud computing services to businesses throughout the Caribbean and says that as awareness of the cloud grows, so too will the uptake of IoT. “There is nothing stopping people from leveraging the IoT as they are leveraging the cloud.”
Agriculture, health care, transportation, environmental management and manufacturing are just a few of the industries that can be transformed by the IoT. Wilkins believes the technology could be especially useful in the tourism and agricultural sectors — both of which are big-earners for most Caribbean nations. “There are so many different types of services [available through IoT]. Tourism seems to be the focus in most of the islands and the IoT could do great things for tourism. There are so many benefits that would come from that. It is endless.”
Several cruise lines are already making the most of the technology. Towards the end of last year, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd embraced the IoT with new services that can be accessed from guests’ smartphones. These included virtual reality experiences and an ‘x-ray’ feature that allows guests to peer through walls on the ship using their smartphone, to see the inner workings of the boat.
In November 2017, the region’s first Internet of Things Lab was established in Puerto Rico. It will work with international and local universities to offer workshops and seminars, and act as an incubator for new talent and entrepreneurs.
CHALLENGES
As technology creeps into more and more of our daily life, however, the corresponding risks grow. The IoT represents a unique threat because the more integrated the system, the more vulnerable the user. Having financial details, home security systems, computers, phones and personal records all on the same network can leave customers extremely exposed.
Regulators, policymakers and manufacturers must therefore ensure they stay ahead of the technology, educating themselves on possible loopholes and vulnerabilities so they can offer a high degree of consumer protection. A vast network like the IoT is only as strong as its weakest link and a collaborative approach to security is crucial.
In an integrated network, there is also a need for consistent standards. One poorly-functioning device can negatively impact the entire system so best practices must be developed, disseminated and followed to allow for full interoperability.
CATCHING UP
Global adoption of IoT is in the early stages. The technology is still finding its feet which presents an opportunity for the Caribbean to catch up with the rest of the world. MacKenzie, who has years of experience in the global market, estimates that the region is around 10 years behind its more developed competitors but adds that the pace of change is such that it won’t take long for the playing field to level. He believes that much of the work has already been done, saying: “[The infrastructure] is already there. There are leapfrogging opportunities for people to take advantage of the IoT.”
It is up to the private sector to push through change, according to MacKenzie, who says technological advances require innovative public-private partnerships to help the industry develop. He wants to see the younger generation, in particular, push through more innovation and adds: “There are a lot of very talented people that will have creative ideas we haven’t even thought of yet.”
Innovative ideas, combined with a robust and well-structured regulatory framework, can help the Caribbean move with the times and prepare for the inevitable explosion of IoT applications. MacKenzie is optimistic about what’s ahead, saying: “This is a very exciting time, which is creating a great opportunity
for the region.”
