Cities are looking to the Internet of Things for ways to become smarter, but at what cost? Many smaller municipalities are limited to how much they can accomplish by their size and economic constraints. Many are finding that help is on the way, as long as you know where to look for it. Shared data marketplaces and exchanges are an excellent first step.
Simple and intuitive interfaces have transformed the user experience in consumer technologies, raising consumer expectations for better applications and services. This dynamic applies just as much to the smart city context. Residents don’t just expect better services, they also want greater responsiveness from their local government agencies. And all of this at no extra cost. Small and medium-sized cities face a real challenge because they lack the economic heft and investment capacity of large cities such as London and Los Angeles.
