The world we live in is becoming more and more urbanized by the year. According to a 2009 study by the United Nations, 1.3 million people move into cities every week, and by 2040, 65% of the world’s population will be living in cities. The growing pains felt by these urban centers can be seen across several indicators, from rising crimes rates to increased traffic. With more dense populations and a need to maintain a higher quality of life, cities are looking to leverage advancement in technologies to make themselves safer and more efficient.
Smart cities have positioned themselves as the answer to our urban woes, doing so by collecting information from a variety of sensors to manage assets and resources more efficiently than ever before. One of the largest focuses for smart cities is reducing crime, securing public spaces and safeguarding residents from threats. At the center of it all is data, which is continuously being gathered, analyzed and utilized to better address the issues large cities face.