The 21st century marks a tipping point in human history, with the majority of the world's population now living in cities. But how do we address the challenges that arise from urban concentration? The most ambitious answers to this question will be discussed at the IAA MOBILITY 2023 – to ensure healthy, comfortable, and environmentally sustainable living.
By the middle of the century, our population is expected to have grown to around 10 billion people worldwide. This leaves us with a big question: How do we organize high-quality coexistence in the confines of a metropolis, without pollution, social divides or collapsing infrastructures?
It is common sense among experts that citizens directly affected by the problems of urbanization must be actively involved in both decision-making and action-taking. But technology is similarly important. Innovation enables us to improve resource management and service provision in an environment full of dependencies. Cities have to take care of public safety and welfare, efficiently managing the energy system of millions – while preserving the environment, dealing with green transportation and commercial constraints.
A huge task, but also a chance to create radically new business models. According to Statista, the global smart city market is expected to grow to about $1.38 trillion by 2030, which is almost a fourfold increase from 2019. However, this growth is also accompanied by an increase in stakeholders. There are municipal authorities and public transport providers who initiate, plan, and build new infrastructures. Investors, developers, and architects need to be involved as well. Property owners, NPOs and private companies such as charging networks complement this vast cosmos.
The most important thing: All partners have to work together closely. Which is why IAA MOBILITY has put these subjects at the top of its agenda. The international trade show offers just the right platform to exchange ideas on smart city infrastructure and urban-rural connectivity. They play a key role in this transformation, in order to establish autonomous vehicles or mobility as a service – facilitating the transition from mass to on-demand transportation.
These solutions can make traveling through crowded cities a pleasurable trip rather than a chore. The data gathered from users and smart sensors within the city's infrastructure will improve travel times, avoid traffic jams, and provide additional safety. 6G and AI will enable the use of many IoT applications, which are essential to this scenario.
All over the world, smart cities are already emerging. Shanghai, for example, is ranked the world's number one smart city for 2022, according to an assessment by Juniper. The Asian giant is offering many municipal services on a digitized basis, offers full 5G coverage downtown and a widely accepted citizen app, using cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and big data.
The public transport provider in Malmö gathers real-time information on its fleet in order to inform passengers about the best routes, or to change traffic lights for smooth bus shuttle flows. Copenhagen also employs smart traffic lights, using flexible green light phases after selected events such as soccer games. And London has been talking of “smart streets” for the past five years.
With further urbanization on the horizon, these cities have understood the power of smart ecosystems, and the need to invest in connected infrastructures. So smart cities are not only an audacious wish, but a compelling call for action. We need them to maintain our standards of living. They are key to a sustainable future.
This is why we invite you to become part of the IAA MOBILITY 2023. Munich is right at the forefront, hosting the leading platform for progressive mobility and urban spaces, where you can discover the latest infrastructure trends and test solutions yourself, be it micromobility or public transport.
On top, there are many ways to participate: Become an exhibitor or sponsor, present your own project to opinion leaders, scientists, architects, developers, and political institutions, create new networks among these experts, or contribute to the show as a partner.
Registration has started. So we look forward to seeing you!