Smart Cities Council launches in ANZ

The Smart Cities Council Australia New Zealand launched today, part of a growing global network of smart cities organisations whose goal is to make cities more liveable, workable and sustainable.

Jesse Berst, the chairman of global Smart Cities Council, acknowledged the sustained efforts in Australia and New Zealand to understand and use technology to develop smart, sustainable cities.

“Launching the council in Australia and New Zealand is the next step in the region’s contribution to solving global problems of climate change and the need to innovate to resolve inequality and deliver economic development,” Berst said.

“Smart Cities Council Australia New Zealand has been positioned as a market accelerator and advisor,” added Berst.

“Through advocacy and action, capacity building and knowledge sharing, we hope to shape a common language for the market, and support projects, policies and plans that harness the benefits of digital technology and intelligent design.”

Adam Beck is the founding executive director for the region. He was formerly the director of innovation at Portland-based think tank EcoDistricts, and prior executive director at the Green Building Council of Australia.

Beck said he has been uniquely impressed with the Smart Cities Council efforts in India, Europe and the USA and resolved to develop a council uniquely positioned to accelerate the smart cities marketplace in Australia and New Zealand.

“The time has come to build on existing successes and unleash the full potential of the smart cities movement here in the region, to apply digital technology and intelligent design practices to build the best cities we can, for our communities to thrive and prosper,” said Beck.

Beck said the council’s first tasks are to develop and publish a Smart Cities Readiness Guide for the region, assemble advisory and leadership committees, and form collaborations with other organisations with similar aims.

“We want to show cities that it is possible today to solve many of our global problems one city at a time and that great progress is being made around the globe,” said Beck.

Launched in 2012, the Seattle-based Smart Cities Council has evolved to become the global leader in the provision of smart cities resources for government and the private sector alike. Its first hub was launched in India in 2015, and there are imminent launches in Europe, the Middle East and China.

Image courtesy Smart Cities Council.