Bill Gates plans to build a smart city in the Arizona desert

Posted at 20 November 2017 in Intelligent Cities / Smart Cities

An investment firm controlled by the Microsoft co-founder buys land for a city that will feature cutting-edge tech at its core. Bill Gates can see the future — in the Arizona desert. The investment firm, controlled by the Microsoft co-founder, has bought nearly 25,000 acres about 45 miles west of Phoenix to build a smart city, a community built from the ground up with the idea of integrating technology into its residents’ lives. The proposed community, known as Belmont, would serve as a “template” for development of

White paper: ASEAN 4.0 – What does the Fourth Industrial Revolution mean for regional economic integration?

Posted at 16 November 2017 in Smart Growth

This paper focuses on the impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The Fourth Industrial Revolution refers to a set of highly disruptive technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, blockchain and 3D printing, that are transforming social, economic and political systems and putting huge pressure on leaders and policy-makers to respond.

WiFi4EU Free Wi-Fi for Europeans

Posted at 15 November 2017 in Intelligent / Smart Cities Solutions

The European Commission wishes to promote free Wi-Fi connectivity for citizens and visitors in public spaces such as parks, squares, public building, libraries, health centres, and museums everywhere in Europe through WiFi4EU. The budget of the WiFi4EU scheme is EUR 120 million between 2017-2019. It will support the installation of state-of-the-art Wi-Fi equipment in the centres of community life.

The European Commission awards Paris as most innovative European city in 2017

Posted at 10 November 2017 in Innovative Cities & Regions

ITS Market Watch: Valuable insights from 4 case studies across Europe

Posted at 9 November 2017 in Innovation ecosystems, Intelligent Cities / Smart Cities

The market for ‘Intelligent Transport Systems’ (ITS) is changing rapidly: topics like urbanisation, sustainability and digitalisation are changing the environment as well as the near future. Despite the investments in technology development and feasibility demonstrations, the systematic market penetration of ITS applications remains a major challenge.

New EC booklet: European Urban Mobility – Policy Context

Posted at 9 November 2017 in Innovation Strategies

This publication has been prepared by the European Commission, principally for the benefit of cities and stakeholders in third countries. It provides an overview of EU urban mobility policy and expertise, with links to specific policy areas such as energy, environment, climate change as well as  employment and growth. It is available in English with translations into Mandarin, French, Portuguese and Spanish.

Report: Benefits and Best Practices of Safe City Innovation

Posted at 8 November 2017 in Intelligent / Smart Cities Solutions

In “Benefits and best practices of safe city innovation,” West and Bernstein from the Center for Technology Innovation at Brookings Institute, examine the ways that digital technology, mobile networks, and integrated solutions help officials in 17 cities manage public safety and law enforcement. The locales include cities in the United States, U.K., Thailand, Nigeria, Colombia, and more.