In [smart cities](/content/en/verticals/city/index.html), the use of technology, information, and data is promoted to enhance and improve the overall infrastructure, quality of life, and publicly accessible services. Negative side effects of living in densely populated urban areas (e.g. [environmental pollution](/content/en/why-cleverciti/reduce-unnecessary-emissions/index.html) and stress-related illnesses) are to be minimized. Typical features of smart cities include **4 main points**:

### Smart administration and society

Government services in smart cities are made more accessible to people by making them available online. Processes such as registering a business or filing a complaint are simplified by digital offerings while also adhering to data security and protection regulations.

Online service can help improve accountability and transparency while also allowing citizens to take an active part in local governing processes.

### Smart housing

Housing in smart cities should be affordable while also ensuring safety and security for its residents. Open and green spaces, public services, community areas, jobs as well as social facilities raise the housing standard in a smart city and enhance the quality of life in any given neighborhood. Poorly planned areas are redeveloped to improve the housing situation there.

### Smart mobility

A central aspect of a smart city is its public transit network. Access to public transportation has increased in tomorrow’s cities. To further [reduce emissions](/content/en/why-cleverciti/reduce-unnecessary-emissions/index.html), smart cities are aimed towards being more pedestrian and cyclist-friendly.

Creative solutions such as [smart parking](/content/en/why-cleverciti/what-is-smart-parking/index.html) can further help to reduce emissions and environmental pollution, while also decreasing complexity for drivers in a complicated urban environment. Smart parking data reduces traffic hazards and accidents as drivers are not distracted while desperately looking for a parking space.

It also enables drivers to choose the best options to arrive at their desired destination quickly and efficiently.

[Smart parking solutions](/content/en/solutions/index.html) can thus decrease parking search traffic, as drivers know which streets are fully occupied, and they can avoid circling around. In addition, drivers can make intelligent decisions based on precise parking data and choose to park in the nearest garage for example, or take a scooter if on-street parking in the inner city is not available.

Furthermore, smart cities aim to create walkable neighborhoods, where congestion, air pollution, and resource depletion are reduced to promote interactions and boost the local economy. Road networks are improved to not only provide space for vehicles and public transport but also to accommodate cyclists and pedestrians.

Modern surface parking hubs slightly outside the inner city ring should also provide real-time occupancy data for parking, making it appealing for drivers to park their vehicles there and take alternative means of transport – such as e-vehicles or a bus – for the last miles to reduce emissions in the city center.

### Smart infrastructure

The infrastructure in smart cities should be geared towards being sustainable and eco-friendly. In addition, many smart cities aim for climate neutrality. Structures for supplying electricity, gas, and hot water, as well as those for the disposal of refuse, need to be transformed to move towards more sustainable infrastructure.

This can be done by reducing the amount of waste generated and more effective recycling of refuse among other things. In addition, the use of natural resources can be reduced by establishing renewable energies.

_Interested in learning more about smart city parking solutions? Click the button below to schedule a demo with a smart parking expert now._

[Schedule a demo](/content/en/get-started/index.html)

### Smart guidance for drivers, businesses, parking operators, and civic authorities

Smart parking is relevant for four main target groups: the general public, businesses, parking operators, and civic authorities. The average driver spends ten to twenty minutes looking for a parking space, which is not only a waste of time and a serious stressor but also has a negative environmental impact. Smart parking systems provide reliable [guidance](/content/en/solutions/parking-guidance/index.html) for drivers, thus simplifying their journey.

In business settings such as [shopping centers](/content/en/verticals/shopping/index.html) and [corporate offices](/content/en/verticals/office/index.html), smart parking management can not only help improve the [customer experience](/content/en/why-cleverciti/transform-the-arrival-experience/index.html), thus increasing revenue, but also positively impact productivity. Less time spent looking for available parking spaces means less stressed and more productive employees. Dynamic LED displays used as part of smart parking systems can be mounted on existing infrastructure such as lampposts and are visible to drivers from any direction. They also offer the opportunity to build revenue by adding [advertising](/content/en/solutions/advertising/index.html) and informational messaging.

For [parking operators](/content/en/verticals/parking-operator/index.html), smart parking can provide valuable input on parking and customer habits, making it easier to enhance the customer experience and streamline parking management. In addition, smart parking enables parking operators to improve monitoring (for example, the appropriate use of dedicated zones such as handicap or delivery zones). Furthermore, the hourly or daily parking rates can be adjusted based on supply and demand.

In many cities around the world, civic authorities are trying to [reduce emissions](/content/en/why-cleverciti/reduce-unnecessary-emissions/index.html) and the environmental impact cars are having on urban areas. By employing smart parking solutions, search traffic and therefore also emissions can be reduced significantly.

In a larger context, smart parking solutions [reduce traffic hazards and emissions](/content/en/why-cleverciti/reduce-unnecessary-emissions/index.html), therefore contributing substantially to the quality of life in cities. These concepts are part of [smart cities](/content/en/verticals/city/index.html), where IT infrastructure is put into place and used to enhance the quality of life.

### Real-life example: Cologne

In the German city of Cologne, [smart parking has been put in place](/content/en/resources/blog/cleverciti-systems-flips-the-switch-on-the-worlds-most-comprehensive-intelligent-parking-guidance-system-in-cologne/index.html) to reduce search traffic in one of the busiest districts, Cologne-Nippes. 360 degree LED displays at road intersections inform drivers where they can find parking in any direction and how many spaces are currently available. The data is also fed into a mobile application. Drivers no longer have to rely on sheer luck when looking for a parking spot, saving time and fuel as well as reducing emissions and noise pollution.

To achieve this, a total of 89 [Cleverciti Sensors](/content/en/innovations/cleverciti-sensor/index.html) monitoring approximately 890 parking spaces were installed on existing lampposts together with 27 [Circ360™](/content/en/innovations/cleverciti-circ/index.html) LED displays, fitting seamlessly into the streetscape. By leveraging artificial intelligence, these solutions and technologies allow for a real-time overview of available parking spaces.

### Cleverciti Card: pocket-sized smart parking for indoor and outdoor parking areas

Cleverciti is proud to announce the newest technology in our smart parking solution: The [Cleverciti Card](/content/en/innovations/cleverciti-card/index.html), the first system to seamlessly combine indoor and outdoor parking guidance, including single space occupancy detection, in a single platform.

The Cleverciti Card is a credit-card-sized “active card” that sits in the windshield of a driver’s vehicle and communicates with the Cleverciti System in garages, on-surface parking areas and on-street parking to deliver an integrated, frictionless [payment](/content/en/solutions/payments/index.html) and parking option for drivers. The addition of the new product makes Cleverciti the first indoor AND outdoor smart parking solution, perfect for any organization that wants to provide a more streamlined customer experience, including shopping centers, corporate parking lots and cities.