Due to big advancements in "big data" and connected devices communities are able to take massive amounts of data that they may have not had access to previously and gain meaningful and actionable insight that can help make community driven decisions. 

With the demand of limited resources being at an all time high it is important for cities to manage their resources. Smart technologies are giving cities the tools needed to effectively conserve and reduce the inadvertent waste. 

Example: Sensors can be used to identify leaks in pipes and shorten repair time. Smart grids can also communicate to users when peak usage and outages happen. 

Things like energy efficient buildings, sensors for air quality and renewable energy sources are providing cities with tools to reduce their ecological impact. 

Example: Deploying air quality sensors around a city can provide:

•  data to track peak times of low air quality, 

• identify pollution causes, and 

• deliver data analytics officials need to develop action plans. 

These sensors can help lay a foundation for reducing air pollution in even the most populated cities, something that is sure to save lives since medical problems related to pollution claim millions of lives each year.