Smart City Technology and Trends

The pace of change in the world has significantly accelerated over the past decade. International conflicts and global pandemics have affected the global economy and societies worldwide. Climate change has brought major shifts in weather patterns. And, of course, technological advances have changed nearly every aspect of daily life, particularly in the areas of mobility, energy production, internet connectivity, and automation.

Rapid change introduces uncertainty about the future, which makes planning a challenge. Much of Kansas City’s planning and infrastructure investments are targeted to a 20- to 50-year period of relevance in design, after which point, the city may look dramatically different than it does now. In the future, new technologies, data analytics, and policy approaches will emerge that will help Kansas City address challenges, deliver city services more effectively, and improve quality of life for residents. Digital equity, technology-enhanced city services, new technology deployment, education, and the economy are all focus areas for Kansas City.

Changes expected in Kansas City in the next 25 years can be grouped into four main areas:

  • Climate
    • Chronic hazards
    • Extreme weather
    • Transitional policy impacts
    • Pollution
  • Society
    • Demographics
    • Equity
    • Economy
    • Health
    • Transportation
  • Technology
    • Manufacturing
    • Electrical devices
    • Zero-emission vehicles
    • Data
    • New mobility options
    • Artificial intelligence
    • Smart city infrastructure
  • Resources
    • Materials
    • Energy-generation sources
    • Biodiversity
    • Water

The city’s planning, development, and investment decisions will be affected by these changes. That’s why the city must monitor emerging trends and anticipate and plan for future changes. If it doesn’t, Kansas City could face significant risks or miss out on opportunities to leverage positive trends.

By identifying the trends relevant to Kansas City and planning for them, the city can become more resilient, more sustainable, and well-positioned for a strong future. This can be achieved by developing a “future proofing” policy framework that uses data and smart city infrastructure to guide investment decisions and service delivery, while capitalizing on emerging technologies.


INDICATORS OF SUCCESS

Successful implementation of this Objective will result in a city that uses real-time data to quickly and effectively address the needs of Kansas Citians and provides the services they depend on. All communities in the city will have a stable and robust internet connection, which will increase educational, economic, civic engagement, and social opportunities. The city will have a proactive approach in addressing and adapting to new technologies and trends that can affect service delivery.


BENEFITS

  • Better preparedness and ability to respond to future events, trends, and changes in technology
  • Improved city service delivery and planning through access to real-time data and big data
  • Ability to evaluate and manage infrastructure and system changes through a digital model of the city
  • Improved ability to focus investments and services where they’re most needed and track metrics to gauge progress
  • More equitable access to high-speed internet and ability to participate in society, democracy and economy
  • More mobility options through new technology. Improved connections between neighborhoods and destinations
  • Through new public engagement methods, more robust involvement from residents in decision-making


CONTEXT

Smart Cities make use of technology and data to take requests for service, be more transparent, and improve service delivery and infrastructure prioritization.

For more context, click HERE.


MEASURES OF SUCCESS

  • Broadband access (increase)


KEY CONCEPTS

Create a future-proofed city by better anticipating and reacting to emerging trends and new technology

With the accelerated pace of change in the world over the last decade, and the uncertainty that accompanies it, future trends will pose both risks and opportunities. Anticipated trends can be grouped into four categories where the city expects to see dramatic changes over the next 25 years: climate, society, technology, and resources. As the city plans for and invests in long-lived capital assets, making decisions under conditions of uncertainty requires a system of people, processes, and tools to watch for and respond to trends.

Eliminate the digital divide through equitable access, affordability, and education
While significant progress has been made to close the digital divide in Kansas City, the work is not done. Achieving digital equity – when all people and communities have the information technology they need to fully participate in society, democracy, and the economy – requires ongoing focus and investment. Continued collaboration and partnerships with educators, practitioners, community organizations, foundations, businesses, nonprofits, and other stakeholders is needed to close the digital divide and keep it closed as technology and Kansas City’s population continue to change.

Deploy Smart City infrastructure and data platforms that improve city services while protecting privacy and increasing transparency and engagement
As a pioneer in deploying smart city technologies at a local level, Kansas City has a strong foundation on which to build future programs. Kansas City takes a people-first approach to assessing technologies. The city looks at the administrative, commercial, digital, ethical, legal, physical, privacy, security, and transactional contexts technologies are deployed in. The approach gathers well-informed, timely, meaningful input from stakeholders. It considers the trade-offs and consequences of using technology, and it assesses outcomes across stakeholder groups to develop programs to achieve the desired outcomes for all.


COMMUNITY SUPPORTED ACTIONS (CSAs)


Create a future-proofed city by better anticipating and reacting to emerging trends and new technology
SC-1
Develop an anticipatory policy process to respond to reasonably well-understood emerging trends. This should include consideration of policy changes that have already been proposed that could improve preparedness. Proactively develop strategies to prepare for new emerging trends that impact the built environment
  • Establish a system of people, processes, and tools to watch for, prioritize, and respond to trends across climate, society, technology, and resources
  • Identify infrastructure and policy needs to adequately incentivize and regulate technologies so they support the city’s goals. Recent examples include the use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs/drones), electric vehicles, dockless bikes and scooters, ride-hailing platforms, and short-term rental platforms
  • Annually identify and/or update a list of trends to monitor and prepare for
SC-2
In collaboration with the Emerging Technology Board, Climate Protection Steering Committee, Environmental Management Commission, and other stakeholders, proactively develop strategies to prepare for new emerging trends.
SC-3
Establish a task force to review how the city has been impacted by a global pandemic and how the event changed trends in physical development. Incorporate findings into adaptation planning moving forward.
SC-4
Develop a comprehensive strategy to address changes to how and where people will live, work and learn. The strategy should address the following issues:
  • The long-term impacts of remote working trends on future office space demand and vacancies
  • Potential reuse strategies for employment centers and land use considerations for area plans
  • The opportunity to attract new residents who are no longer tied to the city where their employer is located
  • Potential reduced need for travel and impacts to conventions and other activities and events that bring visitors to our city
  • Ability to absorb residents migrating from less climate-resilient locations


Eliminate the digital divide through equitable access, affordability, and education
SC-5
Create a designated task force that specializes in advancing digital equity efforts across departments in order to facilitate cross-departmental collaboration and focus on prioritizing digital equity in each department’s technology-related efforts.
SC-6
Regularly update and implement the Digital Equity Strategic Plan and similar initiatives to bridge the digital divide across underserved neighborhoods.
SC-7
Increase the number of households with consistent access to a computer with reliable internet access by leveraging programs like the Affordable Connectivity Program.


Deploy smart city infrastructure and data platforms that improve city services while protecting privacy and increasing transparency and engagement
SC-8
Incorporate user experience design into the city’s digital presence on all platforms, making common business, service delivery, and community engagement functions easily accessible to users via web, mobile applications, and integrations with commonly used platforms or applications.
SC-9
Integrate smart city data and infrastructure into city decision-making, operations, maintenance, planning, public information, and service delivery and continue to explore new and innovative ways to collect and incorporate this data.
SC-10
Continue to expand the deployment of devices to collect data about transportation, infrastructure, and natural systems that can be used to monitor real time conditions and relay information to users; improve service delivery and response; and plan future system improvements.
SC-11
Explore the use of location-based services data and other data sources to supplement public smart city data, while protecting privacy.
SC-12
Continue to support data sharing across jurisdictional boundaries, making data publicly accessible using open data tools and APIs (Application Programming Interface) and interactive dashboards. Use and promote standardized data formats (e.g., the Mobility Data Standard) where applicable. Develop the agreements, privacy protections, and tools necessary to support this action.
SC-13
Explore the integration of all data into a city model or digital twin that simulates the physical elements of the city and allows for real time monitoring of existing conditions as well as exploring future scenarios and to test the impacts of proposed changes. Incorporate existing and future land use and mobility data (i.e., a new, multimodal traffic mode) into the digital twin.
SC-14
Adopt a policy to generally support and promote new transportation innovations, shared active transportation systems, and technologies that:
  • Improve user experience, convenience, and safety for non-motorized modes, as well as to provide better non-motorized data
  • Improve and maintain reliable, efficient system operations, including transportation demand management strategies, transportation system management and operations, and intelligent transportation systems consistent with regional congestion management policies
  • Integrate real-time information for multiple modes that provides users with better information and makes it easier to walk, bike, take transit, or carpool. Such tools can improve user information, trip planning, wayfinding, and locating and paying for parking


RELATED LINKS

  • Equitable and Fiscally Sustainable
  • Innovation and Creativity
  • Thriving Economy 
  • Addressing Disinvestment
  • Citywide Accessibility
  • Community Collaboration
  • Community Engagement
  • Complete Communities
  • Inclusive Design
  • Providing Services
Related Plans and Policies




The pace of change in the world has significantly accelerated over the past decade. International conflicts and global pandemics have affected the global economy and societies worldwide. Climate change has brought major shifts in weather patterns. And, of course, technological advances have changed nearly every aspect of daily life, particularly in the areas of mobility, energy production, internet connectivity, and automation.

Rapid change introduces uncertainty about the future, which makes planning a challenge. Much of Kansas City’s planning and infrastructure investments are targeted to a 20- to 50-year period of relevance in design, after which point, the city may look dramatically different than it does now. In the future, new technologies, data analytics, and policy approaches will emerge that will help Kansas City address challenges, deliver city services more effectively, and improve quality of life for residents. Digital equity, technology-enhanced city services, new technology deployment, education, and the economy are all focus areas for Kansas City.

Changes expected in Kansas City in the next 25 years can be grouped into four main areas:

  • Climate
    • Chronic hazards
    • Extreme weather
    • Transitional policy impacts
    • Pollution
  • Society
    • Demographics
    • Equity
    • Economy
    • Health
    • Transportation
  • Technology
    • Manufacturing
    • Electrical devices
    • Zero-emission vehicles
    • Data
    • New mobility options
    • Artificial intelligence
    • Smart city infrastructure
  • Resources
    • Materials
    • Energy-generation sources
    • Biodiversity
    • Water

The city’s planning, development, and investment decisions will be affected by these changes. That’s why the city must monitor emerging trends and anticipate and plan for future changes. If it doesn’t, Kansas City could face significant risks or miss out on opportunities to leverage positive trends.

By identifying the trends relevant to Kansas City and planning for them, the city can become more resilient, more sustainable, and well-positioned for a strong future. This can be achieved by developing a “future proofing” policy framework that uses data and smart city infrastructure to guide investment decisions and service delivery, while capitalizing on emerging technologies.


INDICATORS OF SUCCESS

Successful implementation of this Objective will result in a city that uses real-time data to quickly and effectively address the needs of Kansas Citians and provides the services they depend on. All communities in the city will have a stable and robust internet connection, which will increase educational, economic, civic engagement, and social opportunities. The city will have a proactive approach in addressing and adapting to new technologies and trends that can affect service delivery.


BENEFITS

  • Better preparedness and ability to respond to future events, trends, and changes in technology
  • Improved city service delivery and planning through access to real-time data and big data
  • Ability to evaluate and manage infrastructure and system changes through a digital model of the city
  • Improved ability to focus investments and services where they’re most needed and track metrics to gauge progress
  • More equitable access to high-speed internet and ability to participate in society, democracy and economy
  • More mobility options through new technology. Improved connections between neighborhoods and destinations
  • Through new public engagement methods, more robust involvement from residents in decision-making


CONTEXT

Smart Cities make use of technology and data to take requests for service, be more transparent, and improve service delivery and infrastructure prioritization.

For more context, click HERE.


MEASURES OF SUCCESS

  • Broadband access (increase)


KEY CONCEPTS

Create a future-proofed city by better anticipating and reacting to emerging trends and new technology

With the accelerated pace of change in the world over the last decade, and the uncertainty that accompanies it, future trends will pose both risks and opportunities. Anticipated trends can be grouped into four categories where the city expects to see dramatic changes over the next 25 years: climate, society, technology, and resources. As the city plans for and invests in long-lived capital assets, making decisions under conditions of uncertainty requires a system of people, processes, and tools to watch for and respond to trends.

Eliminate the digital divide through equitable access, affordability, and education
While significant progress has been made to close the digital divide in Kansas City, the work is not done. Achieving digital equity – when all people and communities have the information technology they need to fully participate in society, democracy, and the economy – requires ongoing focus and investment. Continued collaboration and partnerships with educators, practitioners, community organizations, foundations, businesses, nonprofits, and other stakeholders is needed to close the digital divide and keep it closed as technology and Kansas City’s population continue to change.

Deploy Smart City infrastructure and data platforms that improve city services while protecting privacy and increasing transparency and engagement
As a pioneer in deploying smart city technologies at a local level, Kansas City has a strong foundation on which to build future programs. Kansas City takes a people-first approach to assessing technologies. The city looks at the administrative, commercial, digital, ethical, legal, physical, privacy, security, and transactional contexts technologies are deployed in. The approach gathers well-informed, timely, meaningful input from stakeholders. It considers the trade-offs and consequences of using technology, and it assesses outcomes across stakeholder groups to develop programs to achieve the desired outcomes for all.


COMMUNITY SUPPORTED ACTIONS (CSAs)


Create a future-proofed city by better anticipating and reacting to emerging trends and new technology
SC-1
Develop an anticipatory policy process to respond to reasonably well-understood emerging trends. This should include consideration of policy changes that have already been proposed that could improve preparedness. Proactively develop strategies to prepare for new emerging trends that impact the built environment
  • Establish a system of people, processes, and tools to watch for, prioritize, and respond to trends across climate, society, technology, and resources
  • Identify infrastructure and policy needs to adequately incentivize and regulate technologies so they support the city’s goals. Recent examples include the use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs/drones), electric vehicles, dockless bikes and scooters, ride-hailing platforms, and short-term rental platforms
  • Annually identify and/or update a list of trends to monitor and prepare for
SC-2
In collaboration with the Emerging Technology Board, Climate Protection Steering Committee, Environmental Management Commission, and other stakeholders, proactively develop strategies to prepare for new emerging trends.
SC-3
Establish a task force to review how the city has been impacted by a global pandemic and how the event changed trends in physical development. Incorporate findings into adaptation planning moving forward.
SC-4
Develop a comprehensive strategy to address changes to how and where people will live, work and learn. The strategy should address the following issues:
  • The long-term impacts of remote working trends on future office space demand and vacancies
  • Potential reuse strategies for employment centers and land use considerations for area plans
  • The opportunity to attract new residents who are no longer tied to the city where their employer is located
  • Potential reduced need for travel and impacts to conventions and other activities and events that bring visitors to our city
  • Ability to absorb residents migrating from less climate-resilient locations


Eliminate the digital divide through equitable access, affordability, and education
SC-5
Create a designated task force that specializes in advancing digital equity efforts across departments in order to facilitate cross-departmental collaboration and focus on prioritizing digital equity in each department’s technology-related efforts.
SC-6
Regularly update and implement the Digital Equity Strategic Plan and similar initiatives to bridge the digital divide across underserved neighborhoods.
SC-7
Increase the number of households with consistent access to a computer with reliable internet access by leveraging programs like the Affordable Connectivity Program.


Deploy smart city infrastructure and data platforms that improve city services while protecting privacy and increasing transparency and engagement
SC-8
Incorporate user experience design into the city’s digital presence on all platforms, making common business, service delivery, and community engagement functions easily accessible to users via web, mobile applications, and integrations with commonly used platforms or applications.
SC-9
Integrate smart city data and infrastructure into city decision-making, operations, maintenance, planning, public information, and service delivery and continue to explore new and innovative ways to collect and incorporate this data.
SC-10
Continue to expand the deployment of devices to collect data about transportation, infrastructure, and natural systems that can be used to monitor real time conditions and relay information to users; improve service delivery and response; and plan future system improvements.
SC-11
Explore the use of location-based services data and other data sources to supplement public smart city data, while protecting privacy.
SC-12
Continue to support data sharing across jurisdictional boundaries, making data publicly accessible using open data tools and APIs (Application Programming Interface) and interactive dashboards. Use and promote standardized data formats (e.g., the Mobility Data Standard) where applicable. Develop the agreements, privacy protections, and tools necessary to support this action.
SC-13
Explore the integration of all data into a city model or digital twin that simulates the physical elements of the city and allows for real time monitoring of existing conditions as well as exploring future scenarios and to test the impacts of proposed changes. Incorporate existing and future land use and mobility data (i.e., a new, multimodal traffic mode) into the digital twin.
SC-14
Adopt a policy to generally support and promote new transportation innovations, shared active transportation systems, and technologies that:
  • Improve user experience, convenience, and safety for non-motorized modes, as well as to provide better non-motorized data
  • Improve and maintain reliable, efficient system operations, including transportation demand management strategies, transportation system management and operations, and intelligent transportation systems consistent with regional congestion management policies
  • Integrate real-time information for multiple modes that provides users with better information and makes it easier to walk, bike, take transit, or carpool. Such tools can improve user information, trip planning, wayfinding, and locating and paying for parking


RELATED LINKS

  • Equitable and Fiscally Sustainable
  • Innovation and Creativity
  • Thriving Economy 
  • Addressing Disinvestment
  • Citywide Accessibility
  • Community Collaboration
  • Community Engagement
  • Complete Communities
  • Inclusive Design
  • Providing Services
Related Plans and Policies




Page last updated: 11 Jan 2024, 09:44 PM