Executive Summary:
A smart community, or smart city, is a relatively new term that can generally be described as the effective integration of technology, data, built space and human systems to deliver a sustainable, prosperous and inclusive future for its citizens. Large global cities such as London, Toronto and Barcelona employ technologies like big data, artificial intelligence and the Internet of things (IoT) to help improve the efficiency of traffic flow, the power grid, water and wastewater distribution, and improve public safety.
This report and affiliated scope of work identifies tools to help smaller municipalities, such as those in this province, leverage smart technologies to achieve the same goals while helping grow a smart community supply chain in New Brunswick.
From an economic development perspective, the growth potential in the smart communities sector is substantial. Several trade reports put the global value of the smart city sector at about $400B US with a projected growth to about $1.2T US by 2020 and $3T US by 2025/2026, a compound annual growth rate of about 20%. This sector cannot be ignored, in particular when targeting smaller municipalities, as we have in New Brunswick. For example, there are 2,950 municipalities in the United States with a population between 10,000 and 250,000 – that is a large market.
The Cities of New Brunswick Association, with the support of ACOA and the Regional Development Corporation completed a study between December 2017 and March 2018 to identify the needs of municipalities in the province. The study scope included surveying and interviewing community leaders from around the province in one-on-one sessions as well as four groups sessions. Elected officials, municipal staff, business leaders and community group leaders where asked what are the primary challenges they face today in their communities and brainstormed to identify potential solutions.
The top issues facing our communities and province according to the survey and interviews results are below. The scores represent the level of importance based on survey results, scored out of 10:
There are no shortage of ideas or existing solutions to help communities improve their social, environmental and economic fabric, many of which reside in our own province. A one-day symposium was hosted by the association on March 28, 2018 in Fredericton; 125 people attended the event, including 20 private sector companies from within New Brunswick.
A common theme amongst municipalities is that smart communities need to be citizen-centric. To make an analogy, private companies do not exist for themselves, they exist to provide value to customers. Municipalities exist to provide a strong social, environmental and economic foundation for their citizens. Smart communities provide value to their citizens, businesses and visitors by improving:
Becoming a smart community doesn’t happen overnight. Much like committing to purchasing a product or service, buyers go through a process that includes:
This research project started the awareness and interest process steps with several municipalities. Some have moved to purchasing products and services, such as energy and transportation solutions. Ongoing outreach will be needed in order to continue the journey for several communities in the province and beyond.
Municipalities will need a framework to become a smart community. Where does the journey start and when does it end (never)? Being a smart community means continuously improving social, economic and environmental value for its citizens. Based on the need to improve, and provide a common framework, this report includes a draft assessment tool that will define, guide, and quantify a municipality’s smart journey. This tool will require further assessment via consultation with municipalities.
It is important to note that 100% of survey respondents support their community’s smart. The Province of New Brunswick and its communities face several challenges such as rising debt, an aging population and a stagnant economy. Smart communities can play a role in addressing these challenges for the benefit of our communities and economy, as well as positioning our province as the hub of the smart community movement – if we don’t do it, someone else will, somewhere else.
A smart community, or smart city, is a relatively new term that can generally be described as the effective integration of technology, data, built space and human systems to deliver a sustainable, prosperous and inclusive future for its citizens. Large global cities such as London, Toronto and Barcelona employ technologies like big data, artificial intelligence and the Internet of things (IoT) to help improve the efficiency of traffic flow, the power grid, water and wastewater distribution, and improve public safety.
This report and affiliated scope of work identifies tools to help smaller municipalities, such as those in this province, leverage smart technologies to achieve the same goals while helping grow a smart community supply chain in New Brunswick.
From an economic development perspective, the growth potential in the smart communities sector is substantial. Several trade reports put the global value of the smart city sector at about $400B US with a projected growth to about $1.2T US by 2020 and $3T US by 2025/2026, a compound annual growth rate of about 20%. This sector cannot be ignored, in particular when targeting smaller municipalities, as we have in New Brunswick. For example, there are 2,950 municipalities in the United States with a population between 10,000 and 250,000 – that is a large market.
The Cities of New Brunswick Association, with the support of ACOA and the Regional Development Corporation completed a study between December 2017 and March 2018 to identify the needs of municipalities in the province. The study scope included surveying and interviewing community leaders from around the province in one-on-one sessions as well as four groups sessions. Elected officials, municipal staff, business leaders and community group leaders where asked what are the primary challenges they face today in their communities and brainstormed to identify potential solutions.
The top issues facing our communities and province according to the survey and interviews results are below. The scores represent the level of importance based on survey results, scored out of 10:
- Economic development, 9.07/10
- Population growth, 8.90
- Helping our aging population, 8.73
- Access to good quality Internet, especially in smaller communities, 8.49
- Renewable energy and climate change, 8.49
- Tourism, 8.44
- Energy efficiency, 8.26
- Transportation, 7.97
- Access to local food, 7.72
There are no shortage of ideas or existing solutions to help communities improve their social, environmental and economic fabric, many of which reside in our own province. A one-day symposium was hosted by the association on March 28, 2018 in Fredericton; 125 people attended the event, including 20 private sector companies from within New Brunswick.
A common theme amongst municipalities is that smart communities need to be citizen-centric. To make an analogy, private companies do not exist for themselves, they exist to provide value to customers. Municipalities exist to provide a strong social, environmental and economic foundation for their citizens. Smart communities provide value to their citizens, businesses and visitors by improving:
- The connection between people and organizations
- The environment
- Livability and wellness for all ages
- Food security
- Public safety
- The local economy
Becoming a smart community doesn’t happen overnight. Much like committing to purchasing a product or service, buyers go through a process that includes:
- Becoming aware of the product or service
- Becoming interested in the product or service
- Considering purchase of the product or service
- Expressing intent
- Evaluating the product or service, and
- Purchasing the product or service.
This research project started the awareness and interest process steps with several municipalities. Some have moved to purchasing products and services, such as energy and transportation solutions. Ongoing outreach will be needed in order to continue the journey for several communities in the province and beyond.
Municipalities will need a framework to become a smart community. Where does the journey start and when does it end (never)? Being a smart community means continuously improving social, economic and environmental value for its citizens. Based on the need to improve, and provide a common framework, this report includes a draft assessment tool that will define, guide, and quantify a municipality’s smart journey. This tool will require further assessment via consultation with municipalities.
It is important to note that 100% of survey respondents support their community’s smart. The Province of New Brunswick and its communities face several challenges such as rising debt, an aging population and a stagnant economy. Smart communities can play a role in addressing these challenges for the benefit of our communities and economy, as well as positioning our province as the hub of the smart community movement – if we don’t do it, someone else will, somewhere else.