Smart cities are rapidly transitioning from sci-fi prediction to everyday reality. Gartner says that implementations have crossed the chasm, moving beyond the basics of implementation to focus on citizen engagement, safety and convenience. Cities like Toronto, with the help of Sidewalk Labs, are among the early movers.    

Gartner’s view is perhaps more optimistic and futuristic than the realities of today's smart city initiatives might substantiate. In the U.S. and abroad, there is still a need to build the infrastructure that can support smart cities. Atlanta, for instance, recently issued a request for proposal to build out a $250 million initiative that includes improved connectivity via Wi-Fi, fiber and cell, as well as sensors to understand and alleviate issues in utilities and traffic. These initiatives also aim to increase safety for citizens of Atlanta with tracking technology that automatically alerts authorities to incidents like fires or gunshots.  

Each of the technologies being spotlighted as components of smart cities is already being incorporated into today’s architecture, as modern buildings are providing a quality testbed to identify and implement the technology that will shape the future of cities.

For instance, the ability to collect and analyze traffic data and patterns is already being implemented, at a smaller scale, in sports venues. This has manifested in a variety of ways, with customers having food orders placed via mobile app delivered directly to their seats or venues using the total number of cell signals in a specific spot to determine where they should place pop-up shops to alleviate crowds.