Artificial intelligence is changing many aspects of our lives. It is being used in more fields than ever before.
One of the fields affected by AI is urban planning. It is quite remarkable how it might change our quality of life in the near future.
AI is Changing the Future of Urban Planning
Technology is capable of improving life as we know it, especially through the creation of new smart cities that integrate each of their spaces through a wireless network and the use of artificial intelligence. In this sense, artificial intelligence, in addition to its applications in the automotive industry, medicine and intellectual property, among other sectors, is put to use in the field of urban planning. It is used for everything from the planning of routes to the installation of sensors that send information to decisionmakers. AI can permanently improve the infrastructure in what is known as smart city or intelligent city.
How can we make use of artificial intelligence in the planning of these new cities?
The need for smart cities
According to some projections, more than 80 percent of the population is expected to live in a city in the coming years. This figure implies that the problems linked to the urban environment, such as energy inefficiency, traffic and pollution, will be accentuated. For this reason, there is a need to create spaces that are both socioeconomically and environmentally sustainable. Artificial intelligence together with a wireless network that guarantees the application of the Internet of Things will enable the development of new cities and the adaptation of existing ones to become environments that improve the efficiency of available resources and the quality of life of their citizens.
Use of artificial intelligence in smart cities
There are a lot of important considerations in urban planning. One of them is sustainability. All smart cities are designed from an ecological point of view to reduce human impact on the environment and create new ways to protect natural resources. As for the application of artificial intelligence to achieve these goals, it focuses on four main aspects:
- Infrastructure: New cities will be built using efficient architecture that will include smart buildings and the implementation of networks that efficiently distribute energy.
- Traffic: Machine learning will be key to developing traffic improvements based on elements, such as traffic lights, that are capable of analyzing the information obtained in real time. In this way, traffic congestion will be avoided and traffic will be restricted in certain areas.
- Security: Permanent surveillance cameras, anti-panic systems and facial identification will help prevent crime and improve security in the urban environment.
- Utilities: Artificial intelligence will enable analysis of the use of utilities, such as water. With the data collected, it will be possible to implement more efficient resource management and promote the use of renewable energies.
Technological advances and the development of artificial intelligence will bring considerable improvements to the urban environment. The creation of smart cities that will focus on the environment will solve the problems facing large cities today. Thus, the possibilities offered by artificial intelligence will contribute to optimize the areas of infrastructure, traffic, security and public services, improving the quality of life.