Which Way to Cope with COVID-19 Challenges? Contributions of the IoT for Smart City Projects

Abstract

Many activities and sectors have come to a halt due to the COVID-19 crisis. People and workers’ habits and behaviors have changed dramatically, as the use of technologies and connections, virtual reality, and remote support have been enhanced. Businesses and cities have been forced to quickly adapt to the new challenges. Digital technologies have allowed people to have better access to public services due to improved use of resources. Smart cities have significant potential for linking people to work and services as never done before. Additionally, the technological convergence produces data that can enhance interactions and decisions toward the “new normal”. In this paper, the aim is to assess how Portugal is prepared to respond to the accelerated process that this context demands from cities. Portuguese SMEs have developed a good capacity for entrepreneurship and innovation; however, they are still behind in converting the knowledge acquired in sales and exports and there is still limited collaboration at the public-private level. The acceleration of smart cities through the Internet of Things (IoT) may encourage changes in these issues. A more assertive alignment between the emergent technologies and the digitization goals of companies is required. This paper opens a discussion around major needs and trends of IoT (and related technologies) since the pandemic has leveraged them. The relationship between innovation and city smartness is approached to assess main contributing and limiting variables (through the European Innovation Scoreboard), to clarify future directions toward smarter services. The tourism sector, as the largest export economic activity in the country, is addressed in this matter. An analytical framework (using, for example, Power BI and Azure IoT Hub) around this approach can choose and support the most suitable areas of development in the country.

Public administration in smart city: A bibliometric analysis

“…Smart platforms are increasingly present within city cells. The issue has taken on particular relevance in the recent period due to the recent covid‐19 crisis (Fernandes, 2021). Within the figure there is also the presence of some defined niche topics.…”

The role of data platforms in COVID-19 crisis: a smart city perspective

“…, 2020). Strategies for using ICT solutions to inform the citizens, monitor and maintain distance between individuals, and minimize the spread of the virus, have diminished the negative economic and social impact of the pandemic, including during lockdown periods (Kouřil and Ferenčuhová, 2020; Nguyen et al ., 2020a, b; Pianta, 2020) and continued to be used, in forms adapted to local needs, even after the relaxation of the initial isolation measures (Scassa, 2021; Leprince-Ringuet, 2020; Fernandes, 2021). The typology of ICT solutions used in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic is presented in Table 2.…”

“…In some cities, especially in Asia and Western countries, the use of smart technologies, based on the IoT, big data and artificial intelligence, has helped alleviate the shock caused by the pandemic (Kummitha, 2020;Rachmawati et al, 2021;Firouzi et al, 2021;Hu et al, 2021;Nasser et al, 2021;Ababneh et al, 2020). Strategies for using ICT solutions to inform the citizens, monitor and maintain distance between individuals, and minimize the spread of the virus, have diminished the negative economic and social impact of the pandemic, including during lockdown periods (Kou ril and Feren cuhov a, 2020; Nguyen et al, 2020a, b;Pianta, 2020) and continued to be used, in forms adapted to local needs, even after the relaxation of the initial isolation measures (Scassa, 2021;Leprince-Ringuet, 2020;Fernandes, 2021). The typology of ICT solutions used in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic is presented in Table 2.…”

IoT implementation in smart tourism: a future study Approach

“…It is ensured to make updated data available for tourists and other stakeholders through data collection by the aid of sensors and other connected things together (Fernandes 2021). Rising trend of communication and cooperation with relevant organizations and ministries e.g., ministry of tourism, ministry of communications, Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization at Fars Province, universities and parks of sciences and technologies etc.…”

“…Rising trend of communication and cooperation with relevant organizations and ministries e.g., ministry of tourism, ministry of communications, Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization at Fars Province, universities and parks of sciences and technologies etc. (E1) emphasizes in necessity for developing strong cooperation and coordination between all key stakeholders (Fernandes 2021).C1 (Rising governmental emphasis on privatization and outsourcing of activities to private sector and improving their support as well as creation of desirable attractiveness for entrepreneurs and private sector) may be performed by preparation of appropriate platform for entry of investors of private sector, entrepreneurs and startups, facilitation in issuance of the needed licenses for them, making appropriate incentive policies and granting advantages including tax exemption, help to importation of equipment and removal of bureaucratic regulations etc. To create integrate management system as well as integrate and stable system in tourism sector (L1), it is necessary to increase enforcement of power by Cultural Heritage and Tourism Administration at this province to guide, lead, organize and control over all public and private institutions that are active in tourism at this province.…”