The cities of the future are expected to be "smart". Obviously, the characterization does not refer to their intelligence but to the ability of local bodies to utilize innovative information and communication technologies for the benefit of their residents. The three major municipalities of the country (Athens, Thessaloniki, Heraklion), the research group for the Technological, Economic and Strategic Analysis of the Information Society (INFOSTRAG) of the National Technical University of Athens, the Association of Mobile Application Companies of Greece and the non-profit Free Software/Open Source Software Association expressed their will to cooperate in the direction of creating sustainable and functional cities with their cooperation agreement. As experts emphasize, the term "smart city" is used to describe a city that utilizes modern technologies, so that basic services become more accessible to everyone and citizens contribute to identifying and solving problems, as well as making decisions.
Broadband Internet connections, interventions that facilitate mobility in the city, reduction of energy consumption, utilization of environmentally friendly technologies, e-government services, public data open to citizens are just some of the elements that make up the profile of a "smart" city.
"The schedule of small projects in a municipality could be made known in advance, which means that some roads may be closed for a few hours. This information, which is currently not known or at most is uploaded to the municipality's website, could be recorded on the navigation maps that car or taxi drivers consult, so as to immediately inform, warn and facilitate," says Mr. P. Kranidiotis, scientific associate of EEL/LAK, to "K". "Also, with another application, the citizen could be able to immediately inform the services about an accident or damage to the infrastructure," he adds.
Mr. Kranidiotis emphasizes that the “smart city” can only rely on free, open source software. “Until recently, each company configured its own tools, one had to buy its own software, its own products, which only cooperated with models from the same company. Open source tools are interoperable, they constitute a common basis for cooperation for everyone. Citizens are made easier, municipalities save money, while in addition it provides the opportunity to develop technological applications at the local level.”.
Source: kathimerini.gr
