T3 Podcast | Smart Cities - Mustafa Uçak

Definition, Evolution, and Future of Smart Cities

In this episode of the T3 Podcast, we welcome expert Mustafa Uçak on the topic of smart cities. Uçak provides a detailed explanation of the definition of smart cities, the reasons for their emergence, their relationship with geographical and historical contexts, their future vision, and developments in Türkiye.

What Is a Smart City and Why Is It Needed?

According to Mustafa Uçak, a smart city is “a sustainable city that integrates all stakeholders and utilizes technology at its highest level to improve residents’ quality of life and use resources efficiently and effectively.” This need stems primarily from the rapid urban population growth since the 1950s. This demographic shift has compelled city administrations to seek intelligent solutions to challenges in transportation, infrastructure, and the environment.

The Impact of Geographic Features and Preservation of Historical Fabric

Uçak emphasizes that geographic features play a decisive role in designing smart city solutions. He notes that cities like Istanbul, with rugged terrain and dense historical fabric, require different approaches compared to flat, modern cities like Dubai. He describes Istanbul as “one of the world’s first smart cities,” citing historical innovations such as aqueducts and sundials as early examples of intelligent urban design. He highlights that Türkiye has adopted a European approach focused on preserving historical fabric rather than following the technology-intensive model of East Asia.

Smart Cities of the Future

Uçak predicts that future smart cities will feature structures that harmonize technology with nature, with the following innovations taking center stage:

• Mobility: Widespread adoption of flying vehicles and delivery robots.
• Agriculture: Vertical and soil-less farming on underutilized urban spaces.
• Security: Preventive crime reduction through artificial intelligence-powered surveillance systems.
• Digitalization: Expansion of virtual environments and immersive experiences.

Despite all these advancements, he stresses that the ultimate goal remains the creation of cities that make people happy, integrate seamlessly with nature, and are sustainable.

Data, Security, and the National Technology Initiative

Uçak explains that the vast amounts of data collected in smart cities can be applied across multiple domains, from transportation and security to disaster management. He underscores the critical importance of securing this data. He insists that for true independence, domestic technologies must be used and “national data must not leave the country,” emphasizing that this issue is a crucial component of Türkiye’s National Technology Initiative.

Applications in Türkiye

Uçak cites the following as examples of smart city initiatives in Türkiye:

• Esenler Smart City Project: A project under urban transformation that focuses on smart city technologies.
• Bursa Smart City Project: An actively implemented project notable for its open data platform.

Uçak stresses that smart cities share a common objective and that all stakeholders must collaborate, otherwise, “where egos prevail, there can be no smart city,” drawing attention to the vital importance of a culture of cooperation.