In the previous edition of Connected, we explained to you what Smart Cities are and what we can do to contribute to the development of a sustainable and resource-efficient city. In this article, we will have a look at the indicators used to define a “smart” city and we will give some examples of the measures the city of Buenos Aires is taking to achieve this status.
Due to the sanitary crisis that started last year, cities around the world had to adapt to the new circumstances. Social distancing has displaced the search for better population density rates, private cars have replaced public transport, and confinement displaced social interaction in urban public places. Even so, concepts such as urban resilience, the “15-minute city” and the ability of cities to adapt in order to overcome traumatic events have become an alternative development paradigm.
We will focus on developing the concepts that are considered the pillars of smart cities without taking into account the sanitary crisis.
A new urban model for the 21st century
Every city is different and needs to work on a sustainability plan that meets its individual requirements and particularities in order to be able to adapt to constant changes. Therefore, cities need to develop a strategic planning program which considers different ways of innovation and prioritizes the most important aspects for their future.
The IESE Business School of the University of Navarra in Spain has developed the IESE Cities in Motion (ICIM) index and includes a research platform to promote the smart city model based on four main aspects: sustainable ecosystem, innovative activities, equality among citizens, and connected territory.
The ICIM evaluates the dimensions that are necessary to classify and frame a large city, such as environment, economy, mobility and transportation, governance, and urban planning.
In 1987, the United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development defined the sustainable development of a city as “one that meets the needs of the present without jeopardizing the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Aspects such as improving environmental sustainability through anti-pollution measures, the use of alternative energies, efficient water and waste management, as well as policies that help to counteract the effects of climate change, are essential to achieve sustainable cities over the years.
Buenos Aires on the way to environmental sustainability
Thanks to its early efforts in terms of environmental initiatives, Buenos Aires was one of the first cities to be part of the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group committed to fighting global warming and climate change through actions that lead the way to a more sustainable future.
The city’s strategic plan to reduce emissions, called the Action Plan against Climate Change (PACC by its Spanish acronym), was initially developed for the period of 2016 to 2020 but has then been extended to 2030. The PACC is a roadmap to carry out sustainable policies, such as the Buenos Aires Verde (Green Buenos Aires) program, a long-term policy plan which aims to mitigate the effects of climate change, lower temperatures in the city, and reduce energy consumption.
According to an estimation of the city’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the stationary energy emissions exceed 50%, followed by transport with 30% and waste with 15%. This GHG inventory allowed the city to determine what must be done to reduce emissions. The focus is on efficient energy use, different modes of transport, waste management, the incorporation of renewable energies, and a tree planting master plan.
Stationary Energy – Intelligent Lighting
The city uses LED lights in 100% of the street lighting, including traffic lights. This technology saves 50% of the energy consumption of traditional lighting and also improves road safety.
Transportation
As part of the city’s Sustainable Mobility Plan, the public transport network has been expanded. The Metrobus network, which uses dedicated separate lanes for buses, as well as the subway system, have been extended. Furthermore, the network of protected bike lanes and the free bicycle-sharing program have been expanded.
Waste
As part of the BA Recycling Plan, 4,500 green and black containers have been installed so far, located within 150 meters of houses in order to facilitate the separation of recyclables. Green reception points for recyclable material have also been installed in different parts of the city. The city also opened a recycling center, which consists of a mechanical biological treatment plant for recycling dry or construction waste, treating plastic bottles, and automatically separating recyclable, organic, and forest waste.
Pedestrian Streets
The plan of pedestrian streets with urban greening in downtown Buenos Aires has been extended to other areas of the city.
All these actions have been carried out with an exhaustive awareness campaign. No new idea or proposal could be materialized without the dedicated collaboration of the city’s residents. Even though there is still a long way to go, Buenos Aires has a concrete strategy until 2030, establishing itself as a reference for adaptation and mitigation of climate change in Latin America.
This article was featured in the November 2021 edition of Conectados, the magazine published by the German gas and oil producer, Wintershall Dea GmbH, BU Argentina.
