A new report by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation’s Center for Data Innovation has outlined several ways national governments can help address challenges related to smart city development projects.
ITIF said Oct. 30 the management of smart city projects should fall on city governments, but national government support is crucial to the long-term success of such programs.
Key issues facing smart city efforts include technology adoption risks; lack of national funding for smart infrastructure; the need for interconnected smart cities; inadequate information sharing between smart city developers; and the need to distribute smart city technologies equitably, the report stated.
To address the challenges, national governments should support shared projects in the areas of research and development as well as technology demonstration, ITIF noted.
The report also urged national governments to allocate a portion of infrastructure investments to smart systems; create policies and standards for smart city technologies that promote interoperability and data sharing; and facilitate intercity collaborations.
National governments should also ensure that smart city efforts incorporate the needs of underserved communities, the report said.
