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What is a smart city?

NT Nigel Taptiklis Public Seen by 158

Like us, our cities can be constantly learning and developing new ways to achieve the same and often better outcomes with less resource required. This is done by re-thinking our relationship to the city and the city’s relationship to us.

A 'smart' or learning city becomes safer, cleaner, healthier, more efficient, fun and prosperous over time. It's a city that learns and responds in real time to those who inhabit it.

How? We can support city and civic innovation by providing space and opportunities to try new things, and share what we learn. Social innovations in the form of new business models and financial strategies are just as important as new physical and digital technologies. Not all will work, but the only way to really accelerate this process is by turning our city into a ‘city lab’ or a city that is willing and excited to try new things in a semi-controlled way.

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Thanks to Eric Zydervelt for providing this context, last year (straight out of uni, and mid-way through the Smart Energy Challenge) Eric and his colleague Genna Boyle competed in the Schneider Electric Global Business Case Study Challenge. This challenge focuses on sustainable urban innovation. Eric and Genna's pitch was on smart street lighting for Wellington and they placed 2nd. Stay tuned for their next 'smart city' pitch!

CT

Caroline Taylor Wed 8 Apr 2015 8:10AM

I also think it would be great to support innovative approaches to sustainable co-housing. I'm not sure how you prototype those sorts of initiatives as buildings aren't easy to shift and last decades.

NT

Nigel Taptiklis Wed 8 Apr 2015 9:48AM

Thanks Caroline - yes would be great to have a tactic on housing in the mix!