Page 34 - Shaping smarter and more sustainable cities - Striving for sustainable development goals

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indoors, which suggests buildings represent a big part of a city's carbon footprint . In the United
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States, buildings account for :
 36% of total energy use and 65% of electricity consumption

 30% of greenhouse gas emissions
 30% of raw materials use
 30% of waste output (136 million tons annually)

 12% of potable water consumption
Smart building management systems with up‐to‐date information can make intelligent
modifications to improve building energy efficiency, reduce wastage, and make optimum usage of
water with operational effectiveness and occupant satisfaction. Moreover, these modifications not
only apply to new buildings but also to existing buildings that can take advantage of the new and
more energy efficient solutions, and thus reduce their energy use by up to 50% through simple
retrofit programmes .
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c. Smart transportation

Transportation solutions are needed in order to move people (and goods) in an efficient (time), safe
(secure), cost effective (economic), and an environmentally friendly and sustainable fashion. This
typically means that there is a need for some form of "smartness" and occupant satisfaction in order
to realize these goals. Therefore, intelligent transport systems (ITS) have become more relevant and
are being implemented.

Smart transportation management systems should use technology and collect information about
mobility patterns. This information enables city managers to make sure that with the current
infrastructure and with lesser investments, the city provides cleaner, efficient and smarter
transportation systems. This method lessens the level of wastage and improves the level of citizens'
lifestyle, thus overcoming the challenges of transporting goods, services and people from one point
to another. In addition, ICT can help to reduce the overall need for transportation and travel by
offering virtual alternatives to physical movements.

d. Smart water
Studies suggest that approximately 783 million people lack access to clean water, 2.5 billion lack
access to adequate sanitation, and 6 to 8 million are dying per year due to water‐related diseases
and disasters. ICTs can play a key role in this respect through a number of technologies that
contribute to a better distribution, management, and allocation of water resources.
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While the bulk of the Earth's surface is covered with water, less than 3 percent of the water on the
earth is fresh water and, of that, less than 1 percent is available for human use. The global
groundwater table is dwindling fast and a water crisis is looming. There are increased concerns
regarding water availability, quality, lack of infrastructures and the ability to manage water in an
efficient and optimal manner. The management of water systems is still nascent, and a growing

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37 http://vancouver.ca/files/cov/Greenest‐city‐action‐plan.pdf
38 http://www.epa.gov/oaintrnt/projects/
39 http://saveonenergy.ca/Business/Program‐Overviews/Retrofit‐for‐Commercial.aspx
40 http://www.unwater.org/water‐cooperation‐2013/water‐cooperation/facts‐and‐figures/en/

24 ITU‐T's Technical Reports and Specifications