City of Eindhoven creates continuous smart city innovations
The Netherlands, especially Eindhoven, features in the top of most entrepreneur, technology, and innovation rankings worldwide. Not only are its companies and universities successful in innovation, but also the municipality of Eindhoven is an exemplar for other cities. A team of researchers – Kati Brock and Elke Den Ouden from Eindhoven University of Technology, and Ralf Voncken and Kees Van Der Klauw from Philips Lighting – look at how public lighting in the city provides a leading case of how to use infrastructure in a smarter way to go beyond illumination within an urban context.
By 2050, nearly 70 percent of the world’s population will live in urban areas, creating both challenges and opportunities for municipalities and industries, leading to a widespread debate about the future of cities. Digital technology functions as a catalyst for urban transformation promising more efficient, livable, ‘smart’ cities that improve the quality of life for citizens and visitors by implementing smart solutions.
The rules of the game are changing with many new actors from different disciplines entering the market, while regulations are overturned. Moreover, the path towards the future of smart cities is uncertain, as we do not yet know what an actual smart city looks like, beyond the pilot projects currently being tested. Important aspects like privacy and ethics in data-driven solutions are still under discussion, and lead to ongoing adaptations of these rules and regulations.
Indeed, we see that the traditional public lighting procurement approach does not consider the ongoing societal and technological evolution and its accompanying challenges. Traditionally, a public lighting procurement procedure would publish strict product and technology specifications for companies to follow. With this approach there is no room for collaboration and innovation.
To be successful in smart cities both the procurement approach as well as the current business models need to change drastically.
