4.1.1. Singapore
Singapore began developing a digitization plan between 1980 and 1990. The primary goal was to create technologies that could be used by the city’s elderly. Intelligent management of Smart Cities uses basic IT (information technology) infrastructure, IoT (Internet of Things), sensors, Big Data, WSN (Wireless Sensor Network). The result is data integration, improved processes in the city and the provision of quality services for stakeholders. An important Smart City Singapore development includes six projects [
47,
48].
National Digital Identity (NDI) represents secure and simple transactions between the public and private sectors. Citizens can use auto-from filling via the intelligent MyInfo platform; verification takes place by credit card and bank account number. Smart Urban Mobility is a method of electronic payment for tickets, searching for free parking space via sensors and applications, efficient transport in terms of time and place. Sensor platform for collection and subsequent analysis of data for the needs of management processes in the city. Sensors monitor air quality, environmental pollution, watercourses, flood risk, water and energy consumption, transport activities, etc. Communication platforms contain data on the birth of a child which are registered online in Singapore; seniors can obtain relevant information about the benefits of Smart City to their lives and communicate with the government through the Moments of Life Initiative. Core Operations Development Environment and eXchange (CODEX) is a digital platform that offers citizens fast and secure service delivery. Electronic payments which take place via a mobile number and individual identification of the citizen, the so-called Unique Entity Number [
47,
48].
The management of Smart City Singapore has elements of digitization at the heart of development. Transformation has generated new strategies, policies, processes and organizational structures. A key element of success is the talent of human capital to create, use and improve technologies in the concept of a Smart City [
48].
The primary goal of the digital development plan is to achieve citizen satisfaction with urban management technologies at the level of 75 to 80% (the goal was achieved in 2018). By meeting the goals, trust is built on the basis of trust-aware systems (T-ARS). The principles of the strategy form the core of digitization (data improves processes) and the provision of services for the needs of stakeholders (for a government that “serves with heart”) [
48].
The city has three stakeholders, i.e., citizens, business and the public sector. The output should be the adoption of modern and advanced technologies that [
48]:
are easy to use;
meet the requirements of relevance, security, digital access;
are responsible for data protection;
allow seamless implementation and use.
In Singapore, technology is seen as an investment for development, not an expense. Effective digitization requires a link between technology and city policies through new organizational structures. The head of the digital strategy, who also coordinates the Information and Communication Technologies Committee, is in charge of meeting the set goals [
48]. The digitization of the city is also supported by the Department of Communications and Information through four steps [
47,
48]:
securing access to technologies and applications (via Service-Dominant Logic, Software-Defined Network, Wireless Sensor Network);
creating awareness;
community support;
deliberately integrating digital elements and information and communication technologies into the daily lives of citizens, using the Smart Nation application.
Singapore distributes the collected field data to the Operational Management System model platform. In this way, data are processed into information and supports managerial functions of management and decision making [
47].
The urban model consists of a sensory layer and platforms, middleware (testing, development, data analytics and monitoring), micro-services (e.g., National Digital Identity) and comprehensive digital services. The result of the model is improved user experience, quality Smart City management processes and simple implementation [
48].
Singapore provides information on weather, the environment, water resources and the traffic situation in the city through information panels. It also uses a 5G MEC (mobile edge computing) network by Ericsson [
49,
50,
51].
Smart City Singapore is a safe city; in 2018, there was no theft or robbery in the course of 322 days a year. The credit for this result is due to sensor cameras and the modern technology of Lamppost as a Platform, which uses software to recognize the characteristic features of the face. Police officers use virtual smart glasses (real-time face analysis) or drones in their city protection activities [
47].
UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) equipment is used in Singapore to inspect canals and structures (saving 60 to 80% of inspection costs), food delivery, mosquito replication, monitoring, security or rescue missions. In addition to classic drones, the so-called NUSwan, an unmanned aerial vehicle, takes the form of swans that assess drinking water quality [
52,
53].
Drones represent a trend and a popular hobby that has resulted in the creation of a community of drones in Singapore, the so-called SG UAS. Testing of new advanced versions of drones is carried out in the Seletar Aerospace Park technology park. Drones minimize personal contact, so they are also suitable for use in the current Covid-19 pandemic, for example in the form of crowd surveillance. Drones distinguished whether people wore a mask and kept a distance of 2 m. The limitations of current unmanned aerial vehicles are their weight and safety [
53].
Singapore is addressing the issue of unmanned aerial vehicle safety by setting permitted runways, based on best practices in the US, Japan and South Korea. Each drone must be traceable and can only be registered by persons over 16 years of age [
54].
As part of the management of limited resources, Smart City Singapore relies mainly on water. Monitoring takes place via the WaterWiSe platform. The input for the platform is data from sensors and IoT. The data are then integrated and sent to the electronic messaging system. The output is information on pressure, water quality and ruptured pipes. Measurements take place at 5 to 15 min intervals. The information is used to optimize flows, pipelines, predict water consumption and create simulation models. The benefits are efficient management and decision-making processes for the management of limited resources in Smart City Singapore [
55].
4.1.2. London
The Smart City London strategy until 2018 includes five missions, the fulfillment of which is to bring customer-oriented services using the principle of customer service at the heart of the process, easy connectivity for all stakeholders, data leadership open to innovations in advanced technologies and strong collaboration [
56].
London is one of the world leaders in the use of data collected from air protection sensors through the so-called Air Quality Network. The Wireless Sensor Network was built in collaboration with Imperial College London and Bloomberg Philanthropies. In 2019, 100 IoT sensors were implemented in London to monitor air quality [
56,
57]. IoT-based smart sensors are also used in strategic city management. The FlexLondon initiative supports new digital technologies for secure analysis and sharing of Big Data. Their storage is based on the London Datastore, which contains data from more than 700 datasets [
56]. Within the network infrastructure, the Connected London program has been introduced, which is preparing the transition to a 5G network from Vodafone [
58]. The London Plan provides all households with full fiber and mobile connectivity based on public Wi-Fi and a separate network for administration called Govroam [
56].
The Met Police app maps criminal activity and promotes security in the Smart City. The data is used to prevent theft. The city has implemented 22,000 intelligent sensor cameras, which transmit data to dashboards. Data security is the responsibility of the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) and the London Resilience Group. In 2017, the London Digital Security Center was created, which uses the information security policy model [
56]. The test center for open platforms is Queen Elisabeth Olympic Park. London is currently focusing on drone technology projects. Digital Greenwich is building new data standards and technologies to reduce the consumption of energy produced in buildings and public lighting. London Councils is working on the London Ventures project to foster cooperation between the private sector, the public sector and citizens [
56].
The city management is implementing the Smart London Camp, where citizens have the opportunity to participate in a public debate and convey their views and expectations from Smart City projects. The inhabitants of the city care about the development of such advanced technologies, which at the same time build trust and transparency. Mayor Sadiq Khan wants to focus in the future on strengthening trust in systems and data through artificial intelligence [
56].
Regular online communication is also implemented through the Talk London platform. Using dashboards and online platforms helps create new Smart City models. Thus, citizens are not only participants but also co-creators [
56].
The primary goal of strategic management is to promote the security of shared data through education, linking technologies with the social element of culture, such as Smithfield Market or Digital Design Weekend events [
56].
Drones are generally used in London in agriculture, health, safety, environmental protection and flood management. The control takes place via NESTA Flying High. Drone testing is carried out in rural areas with low population density. In 2021, drones were used to test the stability of a building, saving more than 80% of resources and time [
59,
60].
Since 2017, the research team in London has been focusing on the development of new drones that will find use as air and water pollution monitoring units. In 2019, the first experimental trials of a drone called “flying fish” were carried out, which can dive underwater and monitor data from the River Thames. An extended version is being developed in collaboration with Switzerland [
61,
62,
63].
4.1.3. Helsinki
The Smart City framework of the second most successful city according to the Smart City Index 2020 consists of elements of strategy, technology, government and stakeholder management. The city’s strategy is set for the period 2017–2021 with the primary goal of constantly improving the quality of life and producing zero emissions [
64].
The city wants to provide residents with a safe and trustworthy space to live, thus supporting T-ARS (trust-aware systems). A critical factor for success is digitization through the adoption of modern and advanced technologies [
64].
The core consists of a sensor network based on the Internet of Things, Service-Dominant Logic, Software-Defined Network and Wireless Sensor Network (IoT, SDL, SDN and WSN). Information and communication technologies and data management are in charge of the Economic Development and Planning Division. Statistical processing of Big data helps to model 3D models of the city. Modern technologies are being developed in Helsinki in cooperation with Forum Virium Helsinki for mobility, the environment and the city’s economic development. The city provides services on the basis of SDL (Service-Dominant Logic) and the so-called Service Map (citizens search for services via a digital platform). The government supports all new Smart City projects which it finances, raises awareness of the issue and participates in the creation of Smart City concepts. It uses analyzed data in the form of information to support management and decision making. Stakeholders are driven by their needs and values. Their views, attitudes and values are collected through intelligent communication platforms in the city [
64]. The technological architecture in Helsinki is called Snap4City. The sensors collect data from the fields of transport, healthcare, social networks and media, limited resources (especially air) and the government. Data are aggregated through IoT applications, then analyzed and used in city management processes [
65].
The city of Helsinki publicly shares the collected data from the sensory network on city dashboards. In cooperation with Nokia, an MEC (mobile edge computing) network with object tracking, camera surveillance and video analysis applications has been used since 2016 [
65,
66].
Helsinki promotes data security through information and communication training programs; in an effort to reduce the amount of data shared, city lawyers increase the provision of advice and advise on personal data protection [
64].
The primary preference for drones in the Smart City Helsinki area is focused on reducing emissions (flying taxis) and protecting a limited resource of air. Carbon neutral solutions are popular in Finland. Transport of an item from point A to point B often has lower emissions using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) device. Forum Virium Helsinki offers citizens free courses and seminars on drones. Testing is carried out in municipalities that form experimental platforms. The government strongly supports unmanned aerial vehicle technology, as Helsinki has significant airspace. Legislation on drones is flexible and adaptable. Restrictions relate to safety and regulation. The challenge is not the technology itself but its acceptance by some conservative citizens [
67,
68].
In 2017, the University of Helsinki created the MegaSense program, which is used to monitor air quality based on 5G technology, sensors and the IoT network [
69].
The collected data are evaluated with the Helsinki Region Environmental Services Authority. Statistics are further processed via the Snap4City architecture and shared on city dashboards and mobile applications [
65].