We are confronted with an intriguing challenge: how to develop smart cities while ensuring the security of goods, people, and nations? The creation of smart cities requires not only the management of digital and physical infrastructures, but also a rigorous approach to cybersecurity, the preservation of privacy, and the development of an inclusive society. In light of my accumulated experience, I invite you to explore these complex issues in order to build resilient, safe, and equitable cities.
The security of goods and people is a critical consideration in the development of a smart city. It is essential to rethink urban security through the lens of emerging technologies while also considering the sociological implications. As an elected official, I have been tasked with the responsibility of maintaining the safety of public spaces while introducing technological innovations. It is not sufficient to simply install additional sensors and cameras. Instead, a comprehensive approach to safety must be developed that considers human behavior, social dynamics, and physical infrastructure. Ernest Burgess’ sociological concepts of the “transition zone” can assist us in this regard. They provide insight into how individuals transition from private to public space and how these spaces can be protected in a balanced manner.
Cybersecurity is a critical component of smart city security. In a city where every street and every infrastructure is connected, cyber risk management is becoming a matter of national security. The protection of sensitive citizen data, critical infrastructures, and urban management systems must be orchestrated with precision and care. I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of “defense-in-depth,” a concept derived from national security, which involves creating several layers of protection to make an attack costly and difficult. Applied to the smart city, this strategy relies on resilient infrastructures, intrusion detection systems, rigorous network segmentation, and crisis response protocols.
It would be incorrect to assume that city security is solely dependent on technology. Another vital element for the success of smart cities is human security, which refers to the capacity of every individual to live without concern for their physical or psychological safety. It is important to remember that safety is a prerequisite for social inclusion. It is imperative that the most vulnerable members of society feel protected, heard, and respected. As urban philosopher Jane Jacobs observed, safe streets are those that are lively, where interaction between individuals is encouraged. This vision should inform our decision-making process, guiding us to create open, vibrant urban environments where technology is unobtrusive yet effective in ensuring the safety and protection of all.
It is essential that intelligent video surveillance does not become a tool for excessive social control. Instead, it should be used as a means of guaranteeing a safe space for all, without discrimination. To achieve this, the algorithm operating in the background must be designed in accordance with ethical principles, ensuring non-bias and fairness. I am not in favor of generalized facial recognition systems. While effective in identifying specific threats, these must be deployed within a framework that ensures individual freedoms are protected, data collection is transparent, and use is limited to strictly defined purposes. It is our responsibility as citizens and decision-makers to ensure that these limits are not exceeded, in order to prevent the emergence of an unwanted surveillance society.
Another fundamental aspect of smart city development is equity. A city can only be considered smart if it is designed for all its inhabitants, not just a privileged minority. Social inclusion features must be integrated into the design process, using technology to reduce inequalities. One example is the creation of urban zones where public services can be accessed via simplified interfaces, which helps to avoid the digital exclusion of the elderly or populations least familiar with technology. The work of sociologist Pierre Bourdieu on the notion of “social capital” is particularly pertinent in this context. A smart city must provide every individual with the necessary resources to access the social, economic, and cultural opportunities that enable them to achieve their full potential.
Safety, inclusion, and equity are not mere abstract concepts. These are the fundamental principles upon which a smart city must be constructed. In light of the exponential advancement of technology, it is imperative to consider whether a smart city can truly be considered beneficial if it does not offer a safe, inclusive, and fair living environment. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that technology is developed in a way that benefits society, enhancing social cohesion and collective security.
I encourage you to join me in this reflection. Let us consider ways to ensure that our smart cities are safe and inclusive environments where every citizen, regardless of their background, feels at home. The true intelligence of a city lies not only in its sensors and algorithms, but above all in its ability to offer a secure and promising future for all.
