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city management
When smart city meets technology:
A brief
interview with
Sneid Ramasawmy
There is no doubt that technology plays a central role in today’s smart cities. Moka Smart City’s Head of Technology, Sneid Ramasawmy explains why technological tools support both quality of life for residents and sustainable development.
What is the role of technology in Moka’s transformation into a smart city?
Technology is at the heart of Moka’s transformation, improving connectivity, resource use, mobility and the life of citizens. For example, software can be used to facilitate interaction between city management and residents.
What technological areas are being developed in Moka?
Moka is leveraging innovative technologies that benefit everyone (individuals and businesses alike)
to make the smart city attractive, environmentally-friendly and people- centric, especially through:
• advanced connectivity via a redundant fibre optic network and a diversity of operators offering uninterrupted, high-speed Internet access;
• a 5G mobile network enabling users to access a range of digital content (videos, etc.) on their mobile phones and giving businesses an alternative to fibre;
• improved energy consumption with smart building management systems and optimum street lighting (the latter now using solar energy);
• the Internet of Things (IoT) to collect real-time data on energy and water consumption, air quality, the fill level of bins, etc.;
• improved mobility with smart road development and the promotion of alternative modes of transport such as scooters and electric bikes;
• smart security systems (AI surveillance cameras, vehicle licence plate recognition systems, etc.); and
• interaction with citizens through a future mobile application that will ease access to information on public services and city activities.
Has technology become essential to support a sustainable approach?
Of course, technology makes data collection simpler and more efficient to manage resources more responsibly. To give just a few concrete examples, technology makes it possible to:
• measure energy and water consumption in real time and compare data with other citizens;
• manage waste sorting; and
• encourage citizen participation via online platforms.
“What gets measured gets managed.” Technology therefore plays an essential role in our approach, which is focused on sustainability.
2023 / NO 5 / MOKAZINE 41