Ecomap, Amsterdam

lack of smart cities strategy

Today’s level of urbanisation is unprecedented and, according to the United Nations, the upward trend is set to continue. Cities are now the largest contributor to energy consumption, CO2 emissions and climate change, and at the forefront of carbon reduction efforts. Greenhouse gas emission targets have been set, but reaching these targets will be a major challenge for expanding cities. Urban sustainable development has emerged as a strategy and policy priority for city leaders. One way cities are responding is by building smart cities. A smart city is one that uses technology to transform its infrastructure and make better use of energy and resources. Information and communications technologies (ICT) can be deployed to create new, intelligent ways of making our urban centres more resource effcient and reduce their carbon footprint.