The concept of smart cities has roots going back as far as the 1960s and 1970s when the idea of using technology to improve the lives of citizens first emerged. However, it wasn’t until the 1990s and early 2000s that the concept began to take its modern form, driven by the rapid advancement of the Internet, broadband connectivity and new technologies such as IoT (Internet of Things), cloud computing and big data analytics.
The term “smart city” itself gained popularity in the 2010s, as cities around the world started implementing technology-driven solutions to improve public services, enhance sustainability and make urban areas more livable and efficient.