Fueling Urban Innovation with Smart City Technologies: Why an Open Approach is Key

Today’s cities face an expanding array of economic, environmental and demographic challenges. In a rapidly urbanizing world, more people choose to move to urban centers each year. The U.N. projects that 68% of the world’s population will live in cities by mid-century, up from 55% today. Such growth will place additional demands on urban infrastructures while necessitating those city governments to deliver services at an ever- greater scale.Cities currently assume the responsibility for the majority of the world’s energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, but they also stand to bear the brunt of many of climate change’s effects. Already, some urban areas see increased risks of catastrophic weather events and flooding, while others face water shortages and wildfire risks.