North American smart city winners revealed

Seventeen municipalities have been recognised for their success in leveraging emerging technology and innovation to support smart city initiatives in the annual Smart Cities North America Awards (SCNAA).

The IDC Government Insights awards were designed to recognise the progress North American states and municipalities have made in executing smart cities projects. In addition, it was to provide a forum for sharing best practices to help accelerate smart city development in the region.

Forward-thinking municipalities

Winners in the SCNAA illustrate best practice examples of how forward–thinking municipalities are effectively leveraging technology and innovation to offer sustainable new services and economic opportunities and to meet the needs and expectations of their diverse communities.

“Our annual Smart Cities North America Awards recognise the best of the best among smart city initiatives, and we congratulate our nearly 20 municipalities in our annual awards. This year we have seen a clear commitment to equity, inclusion, and environmental sustainability in many of the winning initiatives,” said Ruthbea Yesner, vice president, IDC Government Insights and Smart Cities and Communities Strategies.

“We are thrilled to witness the continued dedicated to advancements in technology, purpose-built to support diverse communities and an overall commitment by local government officials and technology suppliers in collaborating to develop smart city initiatives for the betterment of all.”

“This year we have seen a clear commitment to equity, inclusion, and environmental sustainability in many of the winning initiatives”

The following municipalities are recognised for “unprecedented progress” in creating and sustaining smart city projects across the following 14 categories:

Administration (back office; digital legislating) 

· Government for the People Through Digital Engagement – Corona, California

Civic engagement (open data; city portals; 311 apps)

· Smart Water Conservation Application – Scottsdale, Arizona

Data-driven policing (real-time crime centres; officer wearables; video analytics)

· San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office – San Mateo County, California

Next-generation emergency services (next gen 911; early warning systems) – TIE

· City of Syracuse Department of Public Works – Syracuse, New York

· Enabling Enhanced Interoperability for First Responders – Irving, Texas

Digital equity and accessibility (public wifi; accessibility services; ADA compliance) 

· Phoenix Sky Harbor Accessibility Innovations for Visually and Hearing Impaired – Phoenix, Arizona 

Economic development, tourism, arts, libraries, culture, open spaces (connected museums; event management; digital currencies; augmented reality tourism)

· City Street of the Future Defines Blueprint for US Smart Cities – Peachtree Corners, Georgia

Education (smart campus; smart classrooms; virtual offerings; online and remote services) 

· A Blueprint for Building a Community of Student Advocacy Services to Address Mental Health on Campus – San Antonio, Texas – Alamo Colleges District