IoT is an essential technology without which smart city initiatives cannot exist. The “things” of the IoT━devices, sensors, applications━collect the data that enables the technology solutions to be effective. For example, smart water meters reporting water quality and usage, alerting the water company of leaks, or potential contamination.
That said, smart city initiatives need big data analytics to function. The IoT generates huge datasets that must be analyzed and processed to implement smart city services. Big data platforms, part of the city ICT infrastructure, have to sort, analyze and process the data gathered from the IoT.
City governance integrates ICT solutions to interconnect public services, at the same time engaging communities in local governance, thus promoting cooperation.
One example of this is the Greater London Authority initiative, where city hall is using an open, common platform to share data with local communities.