Event - Smart to Future Cities 2013

The second annual Smart to Future Cities event will take place on June 11 and 12, 2013. Too many smart city conferences do not distinguish between what is possible in developed countries as opposed to emerging economies. Equally many focus on a futurist vision of what may be possible in the future and not what we can do now. This is often compounded by not giving enough emphasis on the practical roadmap to implementing a future city and how you measure success.

Over 80 international case studies from government, energy, healthcare, transport, retail and building control will define the working business models which are creating future Cities successes for citizens and enterprises alike; fully integrated, strategically-designed development programs with measurable results.

IN 2012, we heard from CxO strategic thought leaders from the European Commission, Barcelona City Council, Orange, Singtel, IBM, LivingPLanIT, Telefonica Digital, Amsterdam Innovation Motor, NHS, United Healthgroup and more. We also welcomed The UK Government, the Urban Land Institute and industry leading analysts among many others.

IN 2013, we welcome back industry leaders and introduce a comprehensive programme building on our belief that no one vertical can make this market . Therefore we will be covering all of the ICT/Telco enabler platforms and technologies that are changing our interaction with the world around us, customer interaction more efficient, cost effective and more valuable. In addition, we look at the role of other verticals such as FS, Utilities, Developers and BIM (Building Information Management) in the future city arena.

Ensure the competitiveness and collaborative potential of your community in a competitive environment, as part of the new Smart world. Join the many 1:1 discussion sessions, leading CxO keynotes and business catalyst features in this unique meeting of minds in 2013.

For more information or to register click here.

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Event - Sustainable Communities Conference and Trade Show

The Sustainable Communities Conference and Trade Show will take place on Feb 13 - 15, 2013 at the Caesars Windsor, Windsor Essex, Ontario.

Hundreds of cities and communities across Canada are leading the charge towards local sustainability and the shift to a green economy. Every year, they come together to share their experiences and discuss the latest strategies for sustainable community development.

Be part of this exciting forum for municipal sustainability champions. Attend the 2013 Sustainable Communities Conference (SCC) and Trade Show hosted by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Themes and Streams for 2013

This year's conference theme, "Building Blocks for the Next Generation", focuses on best practices in sustainable development from a wide range of Canadian communities and regions, and highlights innovative projects. Sustainable communities are built upon sustainable infrastructure, including high-efficiency facilities; leadership to envision and implement change; the skills to manage physical and human assets; and a willingness to test and develop new technologies.

This year's Conference will explore three content streams:

1. The Culture of Leadership: Share examples of how leadership can effect changes in policy, process, scope, timelines, or partners, in the pursuit of local sustainable development. We encourage profiles of leadership driven by diverse stakeholders-including mayors, councillors, municipal staff, community groups, residents, businesses, etc.-that have increased citizen engagement, reached new constituencies, improved efficiency in managing public assets, and demonstrated new approaches to sustainable development.

2. Sustainable Infrastructure: Demonstrate viable options for building, retrofitting, repairing and maintaining infrastructure, to help it last longer while reducing its environmental impact and fostering sustainable living. We encourage examples that account for cost over the full lifecycle of the investment.

3. Innovation and Technology: Introduce new technologies and innovative approaches to advance sustainability in changing times. We invite demonstrations of technology in action, focusing on prototypes, pilot programs and applications that have been tested in a Canadian municipality. We encourage municipal practitioners and partners to share examples of innovation through processes, technologies and approaches that advance sustainability.

Why attend

Whether you're planning or have already begun your journey to a sustainable community, the SCC will help to put you on the fast-track to successful project design, implementation and cost recovery.

Gain insight into the latest trends on sustainable development Discover best practices for making communities more socially, ecologically and economically vibrant Network with other municipalities and sustainability experts from across Canada See leading-edge green products and services in the Trade Show

Who attends

The SCC brings together mayors, councillors, alderman/women, municipal staff, federal and provincial representatives, and private sector and not-for-profit sustainability professionals. More than 450 are expected for the 2013 conference. Why Hold the Sustainable Communities Conference in Windsor?

Windsor is a community in transition. As manufacturing declined, Windsor began a journey of renewal and economic transition. Applying expertise developed over decades of making automobiles, Windsor's companies have begun manufacturing solar panels, wind turbines and biomass generators. The City is also rehabilitating ecosystems degraded by earlier industrial practices. Through site visits and study tours, Windsor-Essex will showcase several of its green initiatives.

For more information click here.

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Sustainable Jersey Certification Program for Municipalities (Event)

The "Sustainable Jersey Fall Networking Event" will take place on October 23, 2012 at 6:30 pm at Careme's Restaurant in Atlantic Cape Community College Campus 5100 Black Horse Pike, Mays Landing.
The Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA) invites towns and interested members of the public to this event.

The honorable Dr. Ed Mahaney Jr., Mayor of Cape May City, will be the guest speaker and will share his experience leading his community to a more sustainable future. Sustainable Jersey is a certification program for municipalities in New Jersey interested in taking steps to sustain the quality of life for residents. Sustainable Jersey identifies concrete actions that municipalities can implement to become "certified" and be considered leaders on the path to a sustainable community.

While the program provides extensive guidance and tools to help towns complete the actions needed for certification, the certification process is comprehensive and rigorous, and may be seen as a daunting task.
This event is intended to offer people a chance to talk with other community leaders about their successes and challenges on the path to certification as a sustainable community through this program. Collaboration is the key and this informal evening offers opportunities to connect with experienced groups and individuals for support and information.

With 376 towns registered and 109 certified across the state, there is a lot of collective knowledge about the program and successful certification. Certified communities, large and small, possess a wealth of experience that can benefit other towns moving towards this common goal.

The cost to attend is $10 and includes a dinner featuring local seasonal food prepared by the Atlantic Cape Community College Culinary Institute.

For more information or to register click here or call 609.272.6950

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Video: Components of a Sustainable City

This video reviews the elements that go into making a sustainable city. These elements include public transportation, farmscrapers, vertical farms, green roofs, as well as the reliance on renewable forms of energy like solar panels, wave power, and wind mills.

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Smarter Cities' Best Green American Municipalities

American cities are showing leadership by making their cities more green. A Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) project called Smarter Cities, assessed American cities by their investments in green power as well as energy efficiency and conservation measures.

Out of a total of 655 cities, the 2010 Smarter Cities report names 22 “beacons of energy innovation” in ten states. According to the report, the best cities include six Californian cities (Berkeley, Huntington Beach, Long Beach, Oakland, Santa Clarita, Santa Cruz and San Francisco), four Texan cities (Austin, Dallas, Denton and El Paso), and New York, N.Y. For a complete summary of the top 22 green cities see the High Performers Survey Data Table.

Winning cities were assessed on nine dimensions including electricity consumption, EPA green power usage, distributed generation, state legislated energy reduction, greenhouse gas inventory, energy reduction strategy, conservation incentives, energy services and tracking progress.

Columbus’ Ohio is also a leader amongst green cities, they are doing everything they can to incentivize green innovation. The city is proving that sustainable business is good business, they have minimized energy costs and improved the quality of life for residents.

The most successful cities employ conservation tactics like energy audits, weatherization programs and energy-efficiency upgrades. One of the most effective strategies with a wide ripple effect involves supporting green business.

Smarter Cities' next plan is to tackle car-less commuting including public transportation and bike paths. They expect to complete their evaluation in the fall of 2010.
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