Smart Cities & Urban Innovation

When we consider Smart Communities, what definitions do we choose and what assumptions and premises do we embrace? How does the phenomenon of a ‘smart city’ fit into larger sociological and technological traditions, trends and thoughts? There are varying agendas that drive the purpose of a smart community - environment, technology, ‘the citizen,’ and, in a post COVID-19 world more important than ever, resilience of communities. What will the agenda look like in the forthcoming ten years and how do we prepare?

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Recognize, contextualize and explain different definitions, myths, agendas, premises and assumptions of Smart Cities as they exist or have existed in this domain.
• Develop a preferred definition of Smart Communities, including goals, desired impact and, where needed, means you deem central to the mission, learning needs included.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the ‘smart city’ concept within the context of sociological perspectives, technology trends, and differing agendas requiring an innovation strategy for communities (i.e., resilience in a post-COVID-19 world).
• Differentiate between digitization and digitalization and give examples of how you would apply these concepts in the urban innovation space.

Duration: 1 week I $199

How do we define the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) and why does it matter to our communities today? The challenge with big shifts like the 4IR is that the past ceases to be a source for guidance as to how to deal with the present or future. If we accept that truism for city management and the larger urban innovation agenda, then what are the criteria we apply as we navigate our smart community futures? What design principles do we articulate as we move forward? What are the required leadership skills in the 4IR era? What does effective governance look like in driving successful community innovation and digitalization initiatives? The first two decades of this century produced a series of digital evangelists stating connectedness would bring our communities enhanced resilience. Where do we stand? What is the role of digitalization (as opposed to digitization) in (re)shaping our communities and our markets? What is the balance between connectedness and self-reliance in conducting the art of resilience?

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Identify how different technologies and innovations have transformed or are transforming the city and its governance, and the implications of this transformation on societies, economies, governments, and people’s lives.
• Recognize the benefits of and tools for agile governance of the city.
• Develop an agile regulatory approach for a given scenario.
• Design a use case that leverages a given digitalization fundamental that is relevant to (y)our community.
• Give examples of how digitalization and the fourth industrial revolution represent an organizational paradigm shift as opposed to a technology trend.

Duration: 1 week I $199

In this module, we cover design considerations for community innovation and digitalization strategies. What can be learned from past smart city endeavors? What are the design principles and critical building blocks of a successful community innovation and digitalization strategy? Which building blocks deserve priority and why?

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Recognize typical pitfalls of current and past smart city initiatives/approaches and ways to counteract each.
• Assess failed smart community initiatives to determine root causes of smart community hardships.
• Apply the “Effective Smart Community Strategies” framework to existing smart city initiatives for increased effectiveness.

Duration: 1 week I $199

From the Internet of Things (IoT) to analytics to autonomy to AI/ML and beyond, almost every smart city element has a foundation in data. Without good data, the rest of the smart city vision becomes harder to realize. Evolutions in communication, the cloud, sensors, and computers have all dramatically impacted both the amount of data being developed and the ability to harness the power of data for city operations and the delivery of city services. 

In this module, you will examine common ways communities use data, the roles and skill sets of city data staff, city data strategies, the vendor market, and some of the companies that provide data solutions to cities. This module will introduce you to the people, projects and companies that are shaping the future of public data.

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of basic data science.
• Examine the role data plays or might play in a smart community and ways in which it can or should be used.
• Identify the roles and skill sets of city data staff today and in the future.
• Explain the considerations in developing a comprehensive city data strategy, including security, privacy, and digital rights.
• Recognize companies and technologies that provide data solutions to communities.

Duration: 1 week I $199