Civil Engineering August 2022 | Vol 30 No 7

14 August 2022 Civil Engineering F rom railway stations to office blocks, a worldwide tipping point is approaching between those countries actively embracing centralised, smart cities and those who are falling behind. But more than the technology impact that smart cities will have, they are instrumental in developing the communi- ties surrounding them. After all, it takes a broad spectrum of services to make smart cities operate. This requires a mix of health and wellbeing, ease of mobility, access to restaurants and supermarkets, and other services. Building designs are also becoming slicker. There is a focus on using less material and going modular. Think of this as akin to building with Lego. Once it’s served its purpose, a building can easily be dismantled and shaped into something else. For instance, if the Cape Town Stadium was designed on this basis, the area could now have been used for other functions such as residential, shopping, or even schools. Adding impetus to this is the need for digital adoption to happen. While South Africa is still behind in certain aspects, Embracing the era of smart, sustainable, and slick buildings Faiyad Peterson Regional Director: Structures WSP in Africa Globally, there is a significant drive to achieve a net zero carbon footprint and make buildings more sustainable and energy efficient. But this extends beyond the environment and must incorporate the health and wellbeing of people as well. Going the sustainable route certainly bodes significant long-term benefits for landlords, owners, and tenants, including but not limited to savings on building costs, increased employee productivity, and fewer people having to take sick leave. While South Africa is still behind in certain aspects, things must change for the country to become future-ready. Achieving net zero and embracing smart concepts will be critical elements in this regard.