Austin, Texas, joined counterparts from across the globe—including Finland, Canada and Taiwan—as the most intelligent cities in the world, according to the Intelligent Community Forum. The think tank recently rolled out its 2012 Top Seven Intelligent Communities of the Year list, saying that the cities provide a model of economic and social development in the 21st century using information and communications technology (ICT) to power growth, address social challenges and preserve and promote culture. Two cities in the United States and three in Canada made this year’s list, along with one city each in Europe and Asia. The following communities, drawn from the Smart21 of 2012, were named the top seven based on analysis of their nominations by a team of independent academic experts. Each of the communities has created a “uniquely powerful” ecosystem on a foundation of information and communications technology, said ICF co-founder Louis Zacharilla. “By becoming platforms for innovation, they are creating a better life for citizens on all rungs of the economic ladder and a vibrant future for the next generation,” Zacharilla said.
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Austin, Texas
To address a workforce challenge, Austin established a program that puts college enrollment managers into public schools to guide the choices made by students. The program has helped boost the graduation rate for low-income students 14 percentage points to 75 percent.
Oulu, Finland
Despite the financial crisis that hit in 2007, Oulu managed to create 18,000 jobs in high tech, thanks to risk-taking in education and strong public-private collaboration.
Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
Quebec Metro High Tech Park is now home to nearly 100 companies employing 5,000 people, and the park's management team continues to advise and steer promising applications from universities into commercial development.Photo by: Paulo Barcelos
Riverside, Calif.
The city is building a tech-based economy that seizes the opportunities of the broadband revolution. In addition, carriers have deployed fiber and wireless networks reaching 80 percent of the city. Photo by: vlasta2
Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
The city targeted ICT, life sciences, tourism, energy and advanced manufacturing for growth, in a strategy called True Growth.
Stratford, Ontario, Canada
A city-owned company has laid nearly 40 miles of optical fiber and used it as the backbone of a public WiFi network. Broadband and IT have also addressed the challenges of rural health care.
Taichung City, Taiwan
The city has, over time, invested side-by-side with Taiwan's telecommunications carriers. As a result, Taichung now has 80 percent coverage for both WiMax wireless and fiber broadband, with 100 percent expected within five years.
Are your systems integrated to share data, make better-informed decisions, and respond to events in real-time? The key to maximizing agility and creating and retaining happy customers is to create an “intelligent, integrated enterprise”.
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Austin, Texas, joined counterparts from across the globe—including Finland, Canada and Taiwan—as the most intelligent cities in the world, according to the Intelligent Community Forum. The think tank recently rolled out its 2012 Top Seven Intelligent Communities of the Year list, saying that the cities provide a model of economic and social development in the 21st century using information and communications technology (ICT) to power growth, address social challenges and preserve and promote culture. Two cities in the United States and three in Canada made this year’s list, along with one city each in Europe and Asia. The following communities, drawn from the Smart21 of 2012, were named the top seven based on analysis of their nominations by a team of independent academic experts. Each of the communities has created a “uniquely powerful” ecosystem on a foundation of information and communications technology, said ICF co-founder Louis Zacharilla. “By becoming platforms for innovation, they are creating a better life for citizens on all rungs of the economic ladder and a vibrant future for the next generation,” Zacharilla said.