By Mike Manson, Chief Executive of the Association of Local Government Information Management (ALGIM).
Imagine being able to keep an eye on rising floodwaters before the worst happens, streetlights that adjust based on foot traffic to save electricity, and real-time data that can help our rural regions stay on top of rainfall and agricultural conditions.
This might sound like science fiction, but the reality is, it’s already happening. The Internet of Things (IoT) has changed the way councils can collect and share data. Smart devices talk to one another, giving councils back time, resources, and money – funds that can be spent on other important community projects. Many of you will have heard the phrase ‘Smart Cities’, but I feel ‘Communities’ better represent our cities, districts, and regions.
Right now, Smart Communities across our country are a bit patchwork. Some councils have been diving head-first into using new technology, while others are still figuring out where to start. To make sure every community has the potential to become a Smart Community, I think the first step is for councils to work on benefits of trialling new technology in their Long-Term Plans. An example of this is the Christchurch City Council which has rolled out an IoT-based early fire detection system.
By using self-powered smart sensors and software set up in woodland areas, it is able to monitor things like air quality, temperature, and weather conditions 24/7. If the sensors detect signs of a fire risk, they send real-time data to Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ), allowing firefighters to respond faster, and position teams where they’re needed most. I love this innovation and see it having a positive impact on both the environment and the safety of Christchurch communities.
Another fantastic example of diving into this space is Wellington City Council’s Digital Twin project, which is a hyper-realistic and interactive 3D model of the capital. Wellingtonians can explore how the city is changing and growing over time and be prepared for potential challenges that could come through adverse weather patterns. By incorporating the latest climate science data provided by NIWA, GN Sciences, Wellington Water, and other agencies, this project has been recognised and celebrated on the world stage.
The Far North District Council is also making strides toward a smarter future with its award-winning Nothing But Net programme. It has rolled out fast, free Wi-Fi in public spaces across Paihia, Russell, Kerikeri, Awanui, Opononi, and Rawene, with more locations planned. This partnership with Chorus not only improves digital access but also enhances community safety, as the council plans to use the Wi-Fi network to roll out smart street lighting, CCTV, and smart bins.
Interest from council staff in this topic keeps growing and each year at the ALGIM Conference we’re seeing rising attendance at the Smart Communities stream. However, while those of us working in this space are looking forward to the future, I know there is some chatter from community members around the country who don’t understand or see the benefits of their councils’ Smart Community goals.
I think councils can help ease this hesitation by bringing their communities along for the ride, communicating regularly and encouraging communities to engage in the process. Every council should be developing their own Smart Community plans and backing it up with awareness and community engagement activities.
After all, smart technology is most effective when everyone understands and can benefit from it. To achieve this – key details councils should include in their Smart Communities Long-Term Plans are the following.
Digital Equity: Making sure all council staff, residents, businesses, and community groups have internet access, digital devices, and the skills to use them. This could involve free public Wi-Fi, digital literacy training, and affordable device schemes.
Strong Data Governance: Understanding and planning how data is owned, governed, protected and what can be safely shared.
Infrastructure Readiness: Assessing whether existing infrastructure will work with smart projects and identifying what needs to be done to bring infrastructure up to speed.
This might seem like a big undertaking, but no council needs to do this alone. Smart Communities can be possible right across the country if we collaborate and help one another scale successful projects. There is no need to reinvent the wheel. The technology is here, the benefits are clear, and the appetite for progress is strong.
I’m looking forward to taking this conversation to the global stage and learning from others at the Taiwan Smart Cities Conference. Next month, I’ll make sure to provide an update on my learnings from the conference and will share ideas and projects that are working in communities across the world.