Smart Cities Readiness Challenge launched

The Smart Cities Council will award benefits to up to 15 communities in Australia and New Zealand looking to accelerate their smart city initiatives.

The program is open to all communities in Australia and New Zealand — including cities, states, regions and towns. Applications close on 28 May 2018.

Each grant recipient will receive a place at the Smart Cities Readiness Incubator in Sydney, Perth or New Zealand, membership in the Smart Cities Leadership Circle and worldwide publicity. The winning communities will also receive free mentoring and support from leading organisations following the Incubator.

“Each year, the Smart Cities Council and our member companies provide support to help a limited number of communities adopt smart technologies to become more livable, workable and sustainable,” explained Smart Cities Council ANZ Executive Director Adam Beck. “And it’s not just the winners who come out ahead. Our past entrants confirm there’s plenty to gain by filling out the online application platform. This process alone has helped many communities accelerate their smart city efforts.”

Last year, five US cities received grants: Austin, Indianapolis, Miami, Orlando and Philadelphia. Austin’s Readiness Workshop significantly helped the city and its regional stakeholders shape key strategies on issues ranging from open data to public private partnerships and from smart affordable housing to digital civic engagement. And Philadelphia’s Readiness Workshop helped increase civic engagement for their Roadmap process, informing smart cities projects and investment priorities for the next several years.

Winners of the Readiness Challenge grants for Australia and New Zealand in 2018 will participate in the council’s globally leading education program during July and August.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/jamesteohart