Smart Sustainable Cities

The anticipated growth of cities creates unprecedented sustainability challenges. Increasing demands for energy, water, sanitation, education, healthcare, housing, transport, and public service are testing the limits of city infrastructures. At the same time, urban centres offer tremendous opportunities for economic development as eighty percent of the world’s gross domestic product is generated in cities. Smart Cities have emerged as one response to the challenges and opportunities created by rapid urbanization. The report “Smart Sustainable Cities – Reconnaissance Study” presents the results of a study, conducted by UNU-EGOV and funded by IDRC, that examined the thesis that Smart Cities advance sustainable development. The study analysed 876 scientific publications, recommendations from 51 think tank organizations, and 119 concrete Smart City initiatives. Researchers also conducted several interviews with city managers, planners, and researchers responsible for successful Smart City initiatives.

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