Top European cities. In January 2012, Co.Exist published my smart city rankings. This year, I sought to more accurately rank cities based on a holistic model of smart cities around the globe. This year, we are going to release two separate rankings. This first ranking represents the top 10 smart cities in Europe, and the follow-up will be the top 10 smart cities in North America.
In an attempt to improve the rankings, I developed a metric called the Smart Cities Wheel, which contains six key components of smart cities and three key drivers for each component. For each of the six components of the Smart Cities Wheel, I sought to obtain more than one data source to rank each city in its respective region, except in cases where the singular data source was sufficiently rigorous (e.g. 1. 2. 3. 4. In the Smart Living category I only used Mercer’s annual Quality of Life survey results. 5. 6. 7. 8. But overall it is the city’s governance that stands out. 9. 10. High publicity for cities. Press release, 23 June 2011 Amsterdam Smart City has won the European City Star Award 2011. The jury awarded the prize to the project for being exemplary in demonstrating how cities can make successful efforts to use energy sustainably. Amsterdam Smart City makes such efforts by uniting public parties, private organisations and Amsterdammers to test initiatives and new technology together.
Regional awards This City Star is part of the Regio (Regional) Awards, awarded annually in Brussels. Accepting the award in Brussels, Amsterdam Alderperson for Economic Affairs Carolien Gehrels said: “In order to move forward, it is vital to work together with Amsterdammers to develop solutions in the field of energy transition. Amsterdam Smart City Amsterdam Smart City is a cooperative project involving Amsterdammers, companies, knowledge institutions and governments.
The ultimate aim of these projects is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in line with the targets at European, national and city levels. American smart&green cities. Ranking for middle-sized cities. Top Smart cities on planet. Last year, I spent considerable time researching best practices for climate resilient cities—an endeavor that culminated in what I believe was the first ever global ranking of resilient cities.
Now, after extensive research on smart cities initiatives around the globe, I have developed what may be the first ever global rankings of smart cities. The term "smart cities" is a bit ambiguous. Some people choose a narrow definition—i.e. cities that use information and communication technologies to deliver services to their citizens. I prefer a broader definition: 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. Here, then, are the top 10 smart cities: 1.) 2.) 3.) 4.) 5.) 6.) 7.) 8.) 9.) 10.)