From Smart Homes to Smart Cities

Abstract

The United Nations has set the Sustainable Development Goals that guide a wide variety of programs to build a better and more sustainable future for all. The goals are not only universal but also connected with each other and indivisible. Since cities are hosting more than half of the world's population and held responsible for three-quarters of global energy consumption and GHG emissions, the Agenda 2030 includes city-related goals. Many countries have taken steps towards reducing greenhouse gases and increasing energy efficiency in cities. To achieve that, smart technology solutions have been developed and adapted to cities. Making cities smart should start from the home level because they have the biggest share in cities' energy consumption and GHG emissions. This chapter reveals the potential contribution of smart homes to smart city concepts in terms of energy efficiency and GHG emissions with the help of the bottom-up approach. In addition to presenting an extensive literature review to the reader, it also discusses how smart technologies contribute to citizen welfare.