BUF Smart City

concept

BUF Working Group Meeting,

Tartu, Estonia

Björn Grönholm

UBC EnvCom

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The smart city model

“Smart cities use information and communication technologies (ICT) to be more intelligent and efficient in the use of resources, resulting in cost and energy savings, improved service delivery and quality of life, and reduced environmental footprint-all supporting innovation and the low-carbon economy.”

A Smart City is a city well performing in 6 characteristics:

- Economy (Competitiveness)

- Governance (Participation)

- Environment (Natural resources)

- Mobility (Transport and ICT)

- Smart Living (Quality of life)

- People (Social and Human Capital)

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“Smart cities” in policies

UN Economic Commission for Europe

Smart cities – one of the priority topics for the countries according to the survey of opinions of UNECE member States (Nov 2012)

Smart cities concept is well developed in Western Europe and USA however the concept cannot be easily applied in cities in transition countries

therefore UNECE aims to undertake actions demonstrating the conceptual and practical adaptability of “smart cities” to the socio-economic conditions of transition countries and promote technological and social cost-effective solutions

HOW?: through establishing a wider network of municipalities interested to promote the concept with a focus on transition countries, bridging with activities in Europe and Northern America, and Pilot projects and regular events (proposed for 2014-2015):

- Workshop on climate neutral social housing – 4-5 February 2014, Geneva

- Land Information systems for smart cities – 8-9 May 2014, Geneva; as a part of Geospatial World Forum

- Smart city – Vienna, Fall 2014

- A proposal from a regional Council of Baltic Sea project for partnership

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“Smart cities” in policies

ISO (International Organization for Standardization) Central Secretariat

"Smart cities' are needed to safeguard their inhabitants' rights to a liveable, sustainable environment. When people live in close proximity, everyone and everything must work together. That’s where ISO comes in" - ISO Secretary-General Rob Steele.

ISO standards

- used to tackle urban challenges by supporting sustainable development;

- at a micro-level, provide requirements for monitoring technical and functional performance;

- take into account good business practice and optimal management of resources, while helping to monitor and thus reduce environmental impact;

- drawn by governments, municipalities and the public at large to meet the needs of city dwellers in a fast-paced and rapidly urbanizing world.

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“Smart cities” in policies EU Innovation Partnership on Smart Cities and Communities (EIP-SCC)

The Partnership follows the Smart Cities and Communities Initiative which was launched in 2011. This initiative initially only covered energy and had a budget of € 81 Million. It grew to € 365 Million and extended to include the transport and ICT sector with the launch of the Partnership in July 2012.

High Level Group (representatives from industry,

research and cities)

Smart Cities Stakeholder Platform (collaborative, networking and knowledge

sharing tool)

Strategic Implementation Plan: (vertically) • Sustainable Urban Mobility • Sustainable Districts and Built Environment • Integrated Infrastructures and processes across Energy, ICT and Transport (horizontally) : Decisions, Insight, and Financing

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“Smart cities” in policies

Regional and local examples

• Covenant of Mayors – The Baltic Sea Region Covenant Club

• Green Digital Charter signatories

• Danish Smart Cities

• Turku

• Riga

• Tallinn

• Tartu…