Leveraging the connectivity now found in core security and safety technologies, safe city solutions are helping city leaders to better protect their citizens from a range of threats including crime, terrorism and natural disasters.

Cities around the world face diverse issues. Risk levels are impacted by factors including the geographic location, financial prosperity, population density, increased terrorism, crime and the political situation of a city. Furthermore, some cities have already installed extensive security technology solutions while others have relatively little infrastructure deployed.

In order to measure the impact of safe city investments, IHS Markit analysed a number of safe city projects by four different indexes: government investment; safety result; social benefit; and economic benefit. Each index was compiled from 26 indicators to reflect the various measures of a successful project defined as: Government investment; Safety result; Social benefit; and Economic benefit.

Researchers found that Government investment in safe cities can be segmented into three distinct stages. The first stage refers to the initial installation of video surveillance cameras and critical communications. The command-and-control infrastructure is deployed enabling the city authorities to communicate more effectively, and video surveillance provides evidence and a deterrent in the highest risk areas of the city. The second stage is characterised by new city stakeholders joining the steering group and influencing the technology direction. This stage often is challenging for the city as project complexity increases while the benefit remains stagnant. The final stage of investment represents more advanced integration, co-operation on data and analytics and the implementation of predictive crime centres.

The initial government investment in a safe city project is primarily about safety and security. At this stage, only the city’s critical locations are covered by video surveillance cameras, basic command and control equipment is deployed and the government begins to build the ICT infrastructure required. An example of this stage can be seen in Nairobi, Kenya where, after successful completion of phase one of its safe city implementation, crime dropped by 46 percent.

As much of the infrastructure and technology is not already deployed, the required government investment is high. However, the benefits are quickly realised and can drive a large increase in the safety result with significant improvements in property and individual risk levels, police conviction rates and emergency response times.

If the safety result benefits most from the initial government investment, the social benefit score improves most in the third stage of government investment. A key component of the social benefit score is citizen feedback on the government and police, and the general happiness of citizens living in the city. The security and safety improvements made during the initial investment phase take time to have an impact, but ultimately create the platform for an improvement in the social benefit score. Citizens appreciate the value of innovative solutions that make them safer, increasing their appreciation of the government and police force.

The safe city is ultimately a government-driven approach to security. However, multiple stakeholders must be involved. The continuous evolution of technologies, city structure, and security requirements, means a broad range of expertise is needed to make safe city projects a success. Strong government support facilitates these projects, but ultimately a collaborative approach between the government stakeholders, including public health, fire and rescue, and social services, its citizens, and technology firms will provide the best opportunity for successful safe city projects.

Understanding the different stages of investment, and the associated benefits and challenges, can help cities reach a positive outcome. Whether it is first stage government investment driving an increase in the safety result, or third stage investment improving the social and economic situation of citizens, safe city solutions have a positive impact on the general wellbeing of the people working and living in the city.

The IHS Markit Benefits of Safe Cities whitepaper covers the latest trends in Safe Cities strategies.