Smart cities: Reinventing day-to-day life

As cities are becoming increasingly populated, the demands placed upon them are more complex than ever: electricity and water supply, communications, traffic, public transportation, health and safety. Citizens seek solutions that meet their actual needs, while administrative bodies face intense pressure to provide efficient and cost-effective services.

To tackle the challenges of the modern era, cities around the world are accelerating their digital transformation by leveraging advanced smart technologies. It is true that the smarter a city is, the more we want to live in it.

What is a smart city 

How would you feel if, while desperately looking for parking in a crowded area, you received information on your mobile about available spots nearby? Or if you could instantly check air quality and environmental conditions in your neighborhood, helping you plan your day better? Wouldn’t it be convenient to have a smart app bring together all of the city’s digital and physical services, allowing you to book tickets for events, rent a bike, or even schedule a yoga class, all in just a few taps? And how much easier would urban life be if all these solutions worked together seamlessly, making your day-to-day life more convenient and enjoyable? 

All of this does not belong to the realm of science fiction. These are just a few examples of the countless possibilities that smart cities can offer their citizens. They are urban areas that make the most of digital technologies to enhance their sustainability, improve the living conditions of those who live and work there, and upgrade their services. 

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How smart cities promote sustainability  

One of the most attractive aspects of smart cities is their contribution to reducing the environmental footprint. Smart street and outdoor lighting adjusts its operation according to actual needs, saving up to 40% on energy consumption. Smart parking systems and the enhancement of micro-mobility help reduce congestion, commuting times and carbon dioxide emissions. In addition, monitoring and control systems for energy production, storage, and usage minimize consumption and pollutant emissions through special optimization algorithms.

Smart cities also improve the quality of infrastructure and public services. For instance, specially placed sensors can notify the relevant public service department when a bridge requires repair, ensuring immediate response. With smart services, each public-space management entity becomes better organized, has fewer operational costs and manages its human resources more rationally. Citizens, in turn, enjoy greater convenience in their day-to-day lives and feel like members of an advanced community.

It becomes clear that smart cities enhance our overall quality of life. With a healthier environment, easier transportation, increased safety, better services, and stronger community connections, these cities are becoming the places where we would all want to live and work.

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The Ellinikon: A smart city on the Athens Riviera by LAMDA Development 

The Ellinikon, the largest urban regeneration project in Europe, is currently being developed in Greece. Located in the southern suburbs of Athens along the Athens Riviera, a 6.2 million m2 smart city will host a metropolitan park, a beach complex and marina, residential buildings, malls, tourist facilities, restaurants and entertainment spaces, office buildings, schools and healthcare facilities. 

Our goal is for this project to become a global benchmark, inspiring other regions to invest in a green, smart and resilient future. Guided by the sustainability model we apply to all our projects, The Ellinikon smart city fosters the environment and improves society with advanced technological solutions.

For environmental protection 

• Smart energy solutions – A resilient, fully underground electricity network meets all immediate and future needs for renewable energy production, storage, and consumption safely and efficiently.
• Smart water management – Technologies such as sensors and the Internet of Things (IoT) are used for managing water distribution and minimizing consumption.
• Smart waste management – Waste is sorted at the source to maximize recycling, while sensors and IoT networks optimize collection efficiency. The organic part is converted into compost and used as natural fertilizer in the 2 million m2 metropolitan park.

For social improvement 

• Smart infrastructure – Sensors and IoT integrated into underground utility networks ensure their optimal operation and allow for timely, proactive maintenance.
• Connectivity – Comprehensive 5G coverage, public Wi-Fi and a high-speed fiber optic network form the backbone of The Ellinikon's digital connectivity, creating a robust infrastructure for the smart city and all its future needs.
• Smart mobility – Innovative parking solutions and micro-mobility options, such as bike-sharing services, enhance sustainability and quality of life in the city.
• Smart buildings – Advanced technology systems in all buildings guarantee exceptional comfort and top-tier energy efficiency.
   

All in one app  

The innovative, user-friendly The Ellinikon SuperApp will collect and offer residents and visitors information on all the digital and physical products and services available at The Ellinikon.