Although a Smart City is a complex web of infrastructure, applications and services, creating an evolving platform to support today’s needs whilst able to build on future needs can be relatively straightforward. Here are some examples of initial steps that developers can take when embarking on planning a Smart City project:
EVALUATE PRIVATE DISTRIBUTED INFRASTRUCTURE PROVIDERS VS. CENTRALISED UTILITIES. CONSIDER:
• Project economics, cost-benefit analysis
• Resident and Community tangible and intangible benefits
• Sustainability dividend
• Past experience
PROVIDE CABLE PATHWAYS TO KEY COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE ELEMENTS SUCH AS:
• Smart street light poles
• Micro-grid solar and battery storage elements
• Distributed water and sewer plant and equipment
• Community Wi-Fi access points
• Community hub
ENSURE YOUR WHOLESALE TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROVIDER IS CAPABLE OF SUPPORTING THE FOLLOWING:
• Connectivity to key community infrastructure elements
• Access for community applications and services
• Support for future applications including education and employment
• Support for specific demographics and trends
SMART CITY CASE STUDY – ONE CENTRAL PARK
Located opposite the University of Technology Sydney and close to Sydney’s Central Station, the redevelopment of the old Carlton & United Brewery site occupies 5.8 hectares of land and delivers 235,000 sqm of prime real estate.
This ultra-green, 5 Green Star rated development by Frasers Property and Sekisui House, consists of 2,200 apartments across 8 towers, 25,000 sqm commercial office space, student dwellings, heritage buildings, new parklands, a 5 level 20,000 sqm shopping centre, a future boutique hotel and a range of new community facilities.
Central Park’s green credentials extend beyond the massive vertical green walls that grace One Central Park. Central Park houses the largest membrane bioreactor recycled water facility in the world. The development also houses a gas-powered tri-generation energy system that uses waste heat from power generation to create hot water and chilled water which provides space heating and cooling to the entire development. The tri-gen facility and bioreactor were provided by Flow Systems.
OptiComm’s ultra-high-speed fibre optic GPON network connects Central Park’s next generation telecommunication and building automation systems. The network provides up to 1Gbps Internet phone, Foxtel, Freeview TV, video intercom, CCTV and connectivity for the energy monitoring system in every apartment.
- The renowned French firm, Ateliers Jean Nouvel design the first residential stage of Central Park called ‘One Central Park’ which consists of two towers of 16 and 33 storeys.
- The eastern tower features a passive solar heliostat that extends from the upper levels with an awe-inspiring cantilever. The heliostat includes a system of fixed and motorised mirrored panels designed to capture and re-direct sunlight into the retail atrium and onto the landscaped terraces below. By night, the heliostat’s integrated lighting display comes to life in an art piece known as ‘Sea Mirror’, designed by Yann Kersale.
Guest blog by Opticomm