Urban Innovation for Sustainability Survey
Monday, January 4th, 2010
Following from the Cities in Action for Climate Change publication, Cisco and Metropolis, the global cities association, in partnership with the Connected Urban Development partnership has developed a survey that researches the role of urban innovation for sustainability in global cities.
In Autumn of 2009, the membership of Metropolis and the Connected Urban Development community contributed to the Urban Innovation for Sustainability survey. The survey seeks information about the top priorities of municipal leaders around the world and their efforts to create more sustainable cities. The survey is part of a research project that explores the challenges cities face; how city leaders introduce innovations; where cities are today in their quest to be more sustainable; and how city leaders perceive the role of information and communications technology (ICT) in fostering greater sustainability.
In summary, the study uncovered several important themes that should inform the work of the CUD community, the Metropolis Partnership for Urban Innovation Commission and Cisco’s Smart+Connected Communities programs in coming years:
1. For cities, sustainability is first and foremost about the environment, but economic development and social inclusion also are crucial priorities of the wider urban sustainability agenda.
2. “Livability” is the watchword in municipalities’ sustainability efforts, with a clear focus on climate change mitigation.
3. Local governments are actively driving the push for more sustainable cities, marshalling resources to address the problem, orchestrating the input of the private sector and community groups, and leading by example in urban innovation initiatives, even in the face of obvious funding challenges.
4. ICT is recognized as a vital contributor to urban innovation—and, therefore, to sustainability—in cities.
This builds from the publication, Cities in Action for Climate Change, which sets out the actions which cities are currently taking towards applying innovative approaches of technology to enable sustainable cities.
This survey takes a forward looking perspective on the priorities, plans and attitudes of global cities.
Both publications can be accessed on the Connected Urban Development and Metropolis websites.
