I was asked recently if my city was a “technology company.” It’s an interesting question because I suspect most people would say, “of course not. We deliver services, support lifestyle and quality of life, and plan for the long-term vitality of our community. Quantifying ourselves as a technology company minimizes what we do, because we do so much more.” But… instead I heard myself say, “yes, of course we are, or at least we should be.”
The terms “smart city” and “intelligent city” and “smarter city” are often bandied about as generic. But what does it really mean?
A “smart city” uses digital technology and advancements to: 1) enhance performance and efficiency, 2) reduce costs and consumption, 3) build service capacity, 4) improve decision making by providing data-based, analytic assessment and understanding, 5) mine data and tap into the collective, 6) create a competitive economic advantage, and, perhaps most importantly, 7) engage citizens more actively and efficiently. A smart city is better equipped philosophically and practically to face global challenges such as climate change, economic restructuring, aging populations and pressures on public financing, as well as adapt to the ever changing parameters and expectations of transit, energy, water and waste consumption, planning, engineering and how we deliver the built environment, to name a few.
Digitization will transform how we design cities, buildings and infrastructure so we need the foresight and leadership to set the path today.
So how close are we to becoming a “smart city?” We’re on our way, but we have a long way to go.
So while we are continually working at improving our digital capacity operationally, how does this reflect on the greater community and our economic competitiveness? How do we capture transition, attract new smart knowledge workers, disrupt our “transactional” relationship with citizens… Quid pro quo… and deliver more than the expected return? How do we take change and opportunity in hand to create value?
How do we integrate technology to become more competitive globally? How do we change our government to become more open and collaborative through technology? Is broadband the next generation infrastructure for the next generation economy and next generation city and if so, how do we ensure broadband throughout our community and communicate it as an essential service?
Council has established a Digital Strategy Task Force of local experts and citizens to help not only chart the further integration of technology into our services and systems but to also strategize how to deliver a competitive economic advantage for the future.
Are we as a community ready to embrace and leverage the next wave of digitization? Not quite yet but with leadership in all sectors and conviction we can certainly get there.
Here is a peek at some awesome DOS IT initiatives: squamish.ca/discover-squamish/maps-and-data. https://www.bcwwa.org/resourcelibrary/5.2_GreenT_06-05-2014.pdf.
