Using Sensor Data For Smarter Urban Planning 14
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by
samzenpus
from the computer-parks dept.
from the computer-parks dept.
kenekaplan writes "Sensor technology and data analytics are becoming foundations of urban planning. Herman D'Hooge, Intel engineer and University of Oregon Instructor, says that so-called smart cities aren't merely defined by optimized energy or transportation systems. 'The analytics behind them have become more sophisticated so you can make sense out of sensor data,' he said. 'If we start mixing data from the transportation system with data from the building system and the schools system and start meshing that data together, we may start seeing efficiencies and opportunity that weren’t visible within each of those silos'"
The "problem" is private ownership (Score:5, Interesting)
Here in KC we have a runaway sprawl problem (I know to the south where I live and probably north as well). The city is insanely large area-wise for it's population. A guy with 50 acres of prime real estate in the middle of the city won't sell because he's waiting for a great price, not just a good price. But, a farmer further south without such delusions of grand profits agrees to sell his 50 acres to the next apartment complex builder. So, the city now has to build infrastructure and bigger roads further south. There are very large plots of privately-owned undeveloped land and even farm land mixed in with normal suburban development, not quite large enough to be scenic but big enough to make it clear that we're sprawling.
I don't see a real solution without either refusing to push utilities further south or enacting price controls on land deals which is unfair to the owner (and maybe illegal).