Innovation requires fine-tuning, and modern technology is in its infancy relative to the expanse of human history. While simple inventions in the nineteenth century made life easier, they continued to build on one another until a tipping point was reached, at which point technology began to advance exponentially. We have arrived at a pivotal point in human history where, for us to ensure the sustainability of the way we've learned to live, changes must be made.

The good news is that we have the technology to make it happen, and Spain has become the testbed for many new IoT innovations in recent years. It's not hard to see why. Because the country was forced to rebuild and develop its infrastructure after years of war and unrest, Spain's cities are also places where sustainability initiatives are growing in popularity every day.

How Spanish cities made the transition to becoming smart

As urgency for change grows, communities across the globe are looking to the Internet of Things for the solutions that will drive change. Spain has been instrumental in developing and growing a wide range of IoT applications and solutions, including those that help their cities become more efficient and sustainable. There's often a silver lining in the bleakest of circumstances. In this case, it came in the form of the 2008 recession. The country was hit very hard with a slow recovery across Europe during this time. To mitigate many of the consequences of the economic decline, cities like Barcelona took action through the strategic implementation of data-driven systems.

When he took office in 2011, Mayor Xavier Trias pinpointed 12 areas of opportunity that included water, energy, transportation, and waste. Using a pre-existing network of 500 kilometres of fibre optic cable, he proved the benefits of directly linking the city's residents and tourists to the Internet. Just a few examples of the changes made include:

• The use of electric cars, informational apps, and bike-sharing to take the stress and confusion out of parking, reduce pollution, and create a more user-friendly experience using public transportation systems like the bus line
• A sensor system that alerts drivers of available parking spaces using sensors embedded into the streets paired with the ability to pay for parking online
• The transition to LED lampposts to reduce energy consumption through sensing when pedestrians are present and turning off when nobody is around
• Sensors that detect air quality
• Free Internet access across the city for seamless integration of new technologies made available for everyone
• Remote sensors to detect water levels and pinpoint areas in need of irrigation

A lot of these innovations came out of Barcelona-based research centres such as Barcelona Lab and CatIPLab, where most Smart City entrepreneurs first get their start.

Spain is also home to some major tech companies deeply involved in Smart City IoT development and implementation worldwide. They have continued to grow upon these early efforts to improve city operations and allow the government and citizens to work as a team through a "network of networks". This enables residents to access critical information easily and acquire the services they need seamlessly and efficiently.

IoT applications used by Spanish cities

With a brief overview of a few ways Barcelona began implementing IoT solutions, it's no wonder other areas of the country followed suit. The use of data began proving the saving of money, energy, time, and resources, and new ideas are being presented to help Spanish cities live smarter instead of harder, all the while reducing the collective carbon footprint. Let's examine a few examples of creativity in action in different Spanish smart, sustainable cities:

• Madrid launched its very own sustainable smart city project called Zero Carbon back in 2011; it was designed as a partnership between Madrid City Hall and Cisco to make Madrid one of Europe's greenest cities. To do so, they installed LED streetlights along pedestrian routes in central Madrid and entire neighbourhoods throughout Merengue, the largest area of downtown Madrid, which saves up to 60% on energy costs compared to traditional lighting systems.
• València is famous for launching a pilot project geared toward smart waste management. The smart garbage container can transmit status data regarding how full it is in real-time. Not only do they solve the issue of trash overflow, but they also reduce traffic and pollution by preventing unnecessary collections.
• Sevilla has made strides in expanding the potential of renewable energy production. With the ability to transform energy sources worldwide, they have paved the way for the expansion of wind and solar energy, photovoltaics, and concentrated solar power.
• Malaga has achieved savings of over 25% in electricity use through energy monitoring systems that allow for the management of demand in both the commercial and residential realms. Using their phones, residents and business owners can put energy efficiency kits to manage their spending even when they're not in the country.

With each smart city project, Spain takes another step toward being a leader in sustainability. But the country isn't just concerned about climate change or saving money. Smart cities allow citizens to have a better quality of life as well. For instance, Madrid employs smart parking technology using IoT systems that have drastically reduced traffic congestion over time.

Challenges faced by smart city solutions

As with any change worth making in life, there are challenges faced in the development of smart, sustainable cities. However, savvy developers are working to pinpoint the solutions necessary to eliminate barriers to success.

Outdated Infrastructure

At its core, the IoT is about connecting devices in such a way as to enable them to communicate with each other and with us on their own — creating a degree of connectedness that was previously impossible or impractical. For businesses, the ability to connect countless devices means an explosion in data points — which can be used to create an unprecedented level of visibility into business activities, allowing enterprises to make smarter decisions faster. This opens up a new range of possibilities for businesses and consumers alike.

One clever way developers are tackling these barriers is to identify hardware that's easy to install and an IoT platform that can integrate with all legacy systems and applications. This has been achieved by ensuring all stakeholders are considered, including residents, business owners, and social organisations, to ensure all potential problems are on the table to discover the solutions needed most thoroughly.

Privacy Issues

When cameras are installed in every nook and cranny to gather data and keep crime low, it only stands to reason that those who keep their noses clean may feel invaded. After all, nobody wants to feel micromanaged, and continual data collection can become overwhelming. This concern has been mitigated through targeted efforts to provide education to help residents understand how to respond to the increased technology use. From governmental efforts to community boards, employers, and more, a team effort increases transparency and awareness to limit privacy concerns around smart cities.

Security Barriers

Where much good can come from the Internet of Things, one bad apple can spoil the bunch. Hackers and cyber-terrorists put even the most stringent IoT efforts in danger if they can shut down the city. This makes it critical that smart, sustainable cities invest adequately in security measures like blockchain encryption techniques to keep the community safe from those with malintent.

Inclusivity

There are still advancements to consider bridging socio-economic barriers that stand in the way of maximum efficiency in modern innovations and IoT. For example, while smart transit systems offer the convenience of real-time data, many cannot afford to access mass transit. Furthermore, many elderly residents don't use the apps and smart devices needed to stay engaged.

To succeed in carbon footprint reduction, everyone must be on board. This requires careful consideration of different groups of people based on age, education level, and other inclusivity barriers that can stand in the way of maximum community and citizen engagement.

Citizen Engagement

Citizen engagement is a must for a smart city to flourish, and this requires teaching residents how to maximise their use of the tools at their disposal. There are numerous educational opportunities, including town hall meetings, email campaigns, and workplace incentives for engagement with the Internet of Things.

The good news is that, when continually reinforced, educational efforts help the community understand their role in reducing the collective carbon footprint. This, in turn, makes it more likely that they'll pass on their understanding of the successful incorporation of IoT applications into their homes and everyday lives.

While many Spanish cities have been steadily transitioning to smart cities, they still face challenges. The cities in Spain faced challenges when transitioning to Smart cities, including high costs, unreliable connections, and a lack of skilled workers. For instance, many consumers can't afford to purchase a smart home device or pay for additional services because their income isn't high enough. Many citizens are happy with their current utilities and don't necessarily need an upgrade to Smart City technologies. These negative attitudes toward smart, sustainable cities will alleviate over time by consistently implementing the solutions presented.

Results and benefits

Smart Cities can provide several benefits to their citizens. These have been fully realised in cities like Barcelona, where using sensors to improve services has been taken to a whole new level by local government and private enterprises alike. In Spanish smart, sustainable cities, citizens have access to up-to-date information on transport systems, traffic management, and energy consumption from anywhere at any time. The Internet of Things brings incredible new possibilities that we are just beginning to explore, making smart cities possible and sustainable. Some of the direct benefits of IoT applications include:

• Better use of public resources and assets
• A cost-effective operation that saves money for residents and business owners
• Improved safety
• Smoother traffic
• Improved parking
• Reduced carbon footprint

IoT solutions for a better world

Across the globe, we face challenges. Pollution, crime, waste of resources, and time consumers have had a negative impact on all of us at some point and time, and the tools are in our hands to do something about it in ways that weren't possible even just a decade ago.

We've come a long way, allowing us to live smarter than harder in ways our ancestors would have marvelled. Using IoT solutions, we can keep communities cleaner, safer, and more comfortable than ever. Best of all, with the ability to gather and analyse endless data points, it's now possible to make even the most mundane activities of daily life efficient and effective. With this power comes the responsibility to ensure we maximise efficiency and provide a better world for generations to come.

The future is looking bright. Every day, innovations are being discovered and rolled out for effective implementation that makes cities run smoother and smarter than ever. Are there going to be bumps in the road along the way? Sure, but where there's a will, there's a way, and Spanish cities are taking the concept of smart, sustainable communities to the next level. They lead the way in showing the rest of the world what the future will look like if we put our current technology to use that maximises its full potential.

Are you looking to turn your city into a smart city? Connect with one of our IoT experts to discuss how we can help you.