“Smart City” Today: Between Technological Utopia and Urbanistic Pragmatism Introduction: The Evolution of the Concept The concept of the “smart city” has undergone significant transformation since its emergence in the 2000s. Initially focused on vertical integration of data and technological infrastructure (“a city surrounded by sensors”), today it shifts towards a horizontal, people-oriented model. The modern “smart city” is a complex sociotechnical system where digital technologies are not the goal but a tool for improving the efficiency of urban services, sustainable development, quality of life, and inclusiveness. The key challenge becomes not the implementation of innovations but their harmonious integration into the social fabric of the city while ensuring digital sovereignty and ethical data use. 1. Structural Components of the Modern “Smart City” Digital infrastructure as the “nervous system”. The Internet of Things (IoT): Sensor networks collecting data on traffic, air quality, waste bin capacity, energy consumption. For example, in Barcelona, the sensor system for park irrigation analyzes data on soil moisture and weather forecasts, saving up to 25% of water. Unified Urban Operating System: A center for collecting and analyzing data from various sources. The “City Brain” platform in Hangzhou (China), developed by Alibaba, optimizes traffic light operations in real-time based on video stream analysis, reducing traffic jams by 15%. Digital Twins: Virtual, continuously updated copies of physical objects or city systems (buildings, districts, transportation networks). Singapore has created one of the most detailed digital models in the world for simulating planning decisions, evacuation, and the spread of infections. People-centered services. Multi-modal mobility (MaaS — Mobility as a Service): Applications integrating various modes of transport (public transport, car-sharing, taxis, bike rental) into a unified billing and routing system (Helsinki, Whim app). ... Read more