Case Study: Urbs.Next

Abstract

Urbs.Next is a smart city data platform capable of aggregating and processing information collected by various input sources, like traffic lights and smart intersections, surveillance cameras, street lighting, air quality sensors, water and flood sensors, police and fire departments, to mention just some of them.

It provides data modelling and analytics, driving insights on how aspects of the city life can be improved.

A web-based interface allows city planners and employees to integrate services, customize workflows, and actively monitor the overall health of the city.

City of Palo Alto

Planning and directing forward-thinking and innovative technology initiatives, pushing a smart city agenda both within the city and also as a model and champion for change for cities across the world.

Rationale

There are many future-thinking studies in the area, and projects have been implemented to make our cities smart – mostly focusing on how to deploy various sensors and devices, and then collect data from them.

However, this is just the first step towards smart cities and next step will be to make good use of the collected data, enabling context-awareness and intelligence into all kinds of applications and services via a flexible smart city data platform.

This project is intended to help local governments shape the future of transportation and mobility, public safety, public health, and environment. As a direct result, it would improve the quality of life for citizens.

Unique Positioning

Urbs.Next helps local city governments solve the challenges they have today with siloed data, uncorrelated systems and event monitoring, and fragmented insights that often lead to half-baked solutions for specific problems.

The aggregation of data provides a solid foundation for centralizing all aspects of the city in one view. By seeing the whole picture, city officials will be able to implement projects that have a holistic impact.

The main difference vs. existing competitors in this space starts with the vision of leveraging multiple data sources, and integrating additional datasets for a broader perspective. The web-based dashboard will allow for granular customization, one-stop-shop control, and detailed reporting across multiple city departments.

Competitors

DGLogik

IoT (Internet of Things) solution that allows users to interact with various sets of data, and derive more value to better manage cost and energy efficiency (LINK).

Verizon Smart Communities

Integrated solution for increasing operational efficiency in several areas, partnering with each city to design infrastructure, systems and processes that elevate the way they provide services in new and cost-effective ways (LINK).

Target Audience Research

Results based on user research conducted with 32 people, via surveys (29 respondents) and in-person interviews (3 respondents).

Importance of smart cities projects

Overall commitment to smart cities

Target Audience

Primary

City’s IT Department – PMO (Project Management Office) & Enterprise Systems, responsible to deliver innovative technology solutions that support City departments in delivering quality services to the community.

Secondary

Office of the City Manager, which provides leadership and professional management to the City government in service to City Council policies, priorities and the community's civic values.

Tertiary

Citizens, directly impacted by the adoption of smart city solutions that improve public transportation, public safety, public health, environment, and their overall quality of life.