June 12, 2013—Cities around the world have a new ally in their efforts to operate most sustainably through leveraging digital technology. More than a dozen top technology firms—including some of the world’s largest—have formed the Smart Cities Council to provide cities with tools and best practices.
Operating under the banner “Livability, Workability, Sustainability,” the council has gathered the world’s foremost firms in areas such as smart energy, water and transportation, it says. These firms, which make up the Smart Cities Council Steering Committee, include Alstom, AT&T, Bechtel, Cisco, Electricité de France, General Electric, IBM, Itron, Microsoft, National Grid, Qualcomm, and S&C Electric.
City leaders looking for a partner that can assist them in meeting their city’s sustainability goals faster can tap into this global hub to develop a comprehensive and collaborative roadmap for their city, to gain advice on the most effective ways to move forward, and to compare notes with like-minded leaders.
As described by the council, a “smart city” uses digital technology to deliver better, more efficient services to its citizens. It enables access to information via data collected from devices and sensors that are embedded in roadways, energy and water infrastructure, buildings and more. For example, smart power and water grids improve efficiency and reliability, as well as provide customers with detailed information to help them reduce their bills. For another example, a smart transportation network optimizes multi-modal travel throughout the city with real-time bus updates, taxi locations, and the ability to reserve parking spots.
According to the Smart Cities Council, thousands of smart city projects are underway around the globe, but major hurdles remain. Cities have significant questions and challenges with regard to the four chief barriers of technology, financing, policy, and citizen engagement. However, the council was formed to lower these barriers to adoption through education, outreach, and tools for cities.
One of the Smart Cities Council’s first initiatives is the development of the Readiness Guide, which will be released in September 2013.
