Transforming Urban Living – Insights from the IMD Smart City Index 2024 on Europe’s Leading and Lagging Cities

Science and the city

by Sila Egridere, Architect and Smart City Expert

 

How do European cities use technology to transform urban living? The IMD Smart City Index 2024 answers this question by revealing the innovative strategies that set the continent’s leading cities apart. As urban populations grow and resources become strained, the need for smart urban development is increasingly urgent. This article provides a comparative analysis of the most and least enriched European cities according to IMD Smart City Index 2024, examining their investments in scientific advancements to improve urban environments, their achievements, and their resilience.

Most Enhanced 3 Cities in Europe According to IMD Smart City Index 2024

Zurich: The Pinnacle of Smart City

 The success of Zurich’s smart city initiatives is underpinned by a robust strategy that includes a variety of tools and initiatives aimed at fostering innovation, enhancing collaboration, managing data effectively, and promoting communication.

Key to this strategy is the Promotion of Innovation, which includes financial support through the Innovation Credit for Project Funding, designed to fuel innovative projects across the city. Additionally, the Innovation Box for Employee Encouragement and Innovation Fellowships ensure that both city employees and external innovators have the resources and support necessary to develop groundbreaking solutions.

Collaboration is another cornerstone of Zurich’s strategy, facilitated through initiatives like the Smart City Lab, a hub for stakeholders to experiment with new technologies and solutions. Zurich’s national and international partnerships further amplify the impact of its smart city initiatives by sharing knowledge and resources on a broader scale.

Data Management plays a crucial role in Zurich’s smart city strategy. The Data Pool acts as a centralized repository that supports smart city applications, enabling data-driven decision-making and fostering innovation through accessible data. This approach is complemented by the Kickstart Accelerator, which accelerates the development of startups and innovative solutions in the smart city sector, and Hackathons, which bring together developers, designers, and innovators to tackle urban challenges creatively and rapidly (Stadtrat Stadt Zürich, 2018).

Smart Grids: Zurich has implemented smart grids that manage and distribute energy dynamically among residential and commercial buildings, optimizing overall city energy consumption. This system ensures efficient energy use and supports the city’s sustainability goals (Engeler et. al., 2022).

AI-Driven Traffic Management: Zurich’s Central Traffic Management System utilizes AI to analyze real-time traffic data, optimizing traffic flow and significantly reducing congestion times during peak hours (Liew, 2022).

Sustainability Initiatives: The “2000-Watt Society” project aims to reduce per capita energy usage to sustainable levels through innovative building codes and green energy incentives. This initiative demonstrates Zurich’s commitment to long-term environmental sustainability (Stadt-Zürich).

Effective communication and citizen engagement are facilitated through the Project Website and the Participation Portal, which disseminate information, provide updates, and engage citizens in the decision-making process. These platforms allow residents to offer feedback and participate in urban development discussions, ensuring that the city’s evolution aligns with the needs and preferences of its inhabitants (Stadt-Zürich).

Monitoring and Reporting ensure transparency and accountability in Zurich’s smart city initiatives. Regular assessments track the progress and impact of these projects, allowing for continuous improvement and adaptation. This comprehensive approach not only solidifies Zurich’s position as a leader in smart city innovation but also ensures that its initiatives are sustainable, inclusive, and beneficial for all residents.

Oslo: Championing Environmental Monitoring and Healthcare

Oslo faces significant challenges related to climate, health, digitalization, and mobility. The SmartOslo support scheme is designed to address these issues through public-private partnerships, fostering the development and adaptation of smart, user-centered, and sustainable services.

This unique grant initiative accelerates innovation within Oslo Municipality, helping the city reach its ambitious goals of becoming the first zero-emission capital and an international test bed for climate innovation. Applicants can apply for grants ranging from 50,000 to 1,000,000 NOK, ensuring that both large and small ideas are considered, as long as they address the real needs of the city and its citizens. This approach also reduces the risk associated with launching public-private partnerships and innovative public procurement (Smart Oslo).

Circular Resource Center: This project aims to increase the circular reuse of materials in the construction industry in Oslo and surrounding areas. By establishing a multi-use resource center for used building materials, it helps reduce the climate footprint from material use in construction (Oslo Resourceful Cities Integrated Action Plan, 2022).

Oslobygg & Over Easy Solar Project: This initiative focuses on integrating vertical solar cells on green roofs. Traditional setups often require separate sections for green roofs, solar panels, and water management systems. This project uses lightweight solar panels from Over Easy Solar, which can be placed on top of sedum roofs without compromising their function (Smart Oslo).

Soundsensing Collaboration: In partnership with the Agency for Water and Wastewater Services, Soundsensing is developing IoT sound sensors to monitor pumps and valves in water and wastewater systems. These sensors use machine learning to detect potential issues by recognizing changes in sound patterns, allowing for proactive maintenance (Smart Oslo).

Overall, the SmartOslo support scheme aims to enhance customer-driven innovation, better inclusion of the business community, job creation, and rapid growth in startups, ultimately leading to the faster development and adaptation of smart, customized, and sustainable services for Oslo’s residents. This comprehensive and collaborative approach positions Oslo as a pioneer in integrating environmental monitoring with advanced healthcare solutions, ensuring a sustainable and high-quality urban living environment (Smart Oslo).

Geneva: Integrating Technology with Quality of Life

Geneva is focused on fostering innovative projects that offer tangible benefits and contribute to a comprehensive Smart City ecosystem encompassing Greater Geneva. The city facilitates the emergence of these projects by providing robust support to project leaders, thereby enhancing territorial knowledge and enabling data-driven decision-making. For each implemented innovation, including digital solutions, it is crucial to quantify its environmental cost and compare it with the benefits it offers in terms of emission reductions. Ensuring compliance with data protection legislation is also a priority for all projects.

Légumes Perchés (Urban Farm): This project aims to develop urban farming solutions to enhance local food production and reduce the environmental footprint of food transportation.

Géovélo (Soft Mobility): An initiative promoting soft mobility options like cycling, which helps reduce traffic congestion and lower carbon emissions.

OVO (Cargo Bike Delivery): This project uses cargo bikes for urban deliveries, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional delivery vehicles and reducing urban pollution.

Geneva’s smart city strategy also encompasses projects in areas such as circular economy, renewable energy, social equity, healthcare innovation, and quality of life improvements. These initiatives collectively aim to create a sustainable, smart, and inclusive urban environment that benefits all residents. By integrating diverse projects, Geneva addresses specific urban challenges while enhancing the overall quality of life through innovative, data-driven, and environmentally conscious solutions (Montier, 2021).

Lagging Cities in Europe According to IMD Smart City Index 2024

Rome: Strategies for Sustainable Development and Heritage Preservation

Rome’s Resilience Strategy outlines a comprehensive approach to enhance the city’s ability to withstand and recover from various challenges. Developed in multiple phases, it involves extensive collaboration and analysis. In Phase 1, the city engaged numerous entities to identify vulnerabilities and strengths, culminating in the Preliminary Resilience Assessment. During the political transition, continued analysis and development of resilience actions were supported by 100 Resilient Cities and the Strategy Partner, with results presented in a 2016 workshop. Phase 2, initiated in September 2017 with the appointment of a new Chief Resilience Officer, finalized the strategy. It includes 4 pillars, 16 goals, and 58 actions aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Despite its rich historical infrastructure presenting challenges like aging structures, congestion, and tourism management, Rome is making significant strides. Investments in smart tourism aim to manage tourist inflow and enhance visitor experiences, such as the introduction of a mobile app that provides real-time updates on tourist sites, reducing overcrowding. Advanced traffic management solutions, including intelligent traffic lights and sensor-based monitoring systems, have decreased congestion in key areas  (Turismo Roma). The city leverages technology for preserving and promoting its cultural heritage, with virtual reality tours and digital archives making historical sites more accessible. Additionally, Rome’s strategy emphasizes promoting cultural life, urban regeneration, landscape and natural heritage, the farming tradition, and improving the attractiveness and safety of public and private heritage sites, ensuring sustainable development and resilience for future challenges  (Rome Resilience Strategy).

Athens:  Addressing Challenges through Smart City Initiatives

Athens faces significant challenges impacting its resilience strategy, particularly in becoming a smart city. The city is grappling with a population decrease and brain drain, leading to a reduced workforce and economic activity. High unemployment rates and increased poverty exacerbate these issues, contributing to a rising number of homeless individuals. The aging infrastructure and abandoned buildings further strain the urban landscape. Additionally, limited and poorly dispersed green areas diminish environmental quality and public well-being.

Economic instability and social exclusion are major threats, potentially leading to civil unrest and violence. The influx of migrants and refugees creates population instability, complicating social and economic integration. Environmental concerns such as air and smog pollution, along with the urban heat island effect, pose significant health risks. Furthermore, Athens is vulnerable to natural disasters like earthquakes.

To enhance its resilience, Athens must prioritize smart city initiatives that address these weaknesses and threats. This includes improving infrastructure, such as the recent installation of smart lighting systems that have reduced energy consumption (Schreder). Expanding green spaces through projects like the new urban park in the city center, which aims to increase green area per capita, will enhance environmental quality (Data-Smart City Solutions). Leveraging open data and new technologies, such as the launch of an open data platform that provides real-time information on air quality and traffic conditions, fosters transparency and civic engagement. Fostering economic development through local SMEs and innovative industries, exemplified by the creation of a tech hub that supports over 50 startups, will drive economic growth. By focusing on these areas, Athens can build a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient urban environment for its residents (Athens Resilience Strategy).

Nicosia: Vision 2035 and Nicosia’s Strategic Priorities

To achieve Vision 2035, Nicosia must focus on four critical areas that will drive the success of its initiatives:

Public Sector Efficiency: Enhancing long-term strategic planning and operational efficiency is essential. Digitalizing the civil service and upskilling personnel will improve the government’s capacity to meet future needs. For example, a pilot program to digitize municipal services has reduced processing times, and empowering municipalities to deliver better local services through new training programs for local government employees.

Green and Digital Transformation: Transforming business operations and citizen lifestyles through digitalization and sustainability is crucial. Establishing a Deputy Ministry of Climate Action, Environment, and Sustainability will spearhead green economy initiatives, pushing for a rapid transition to a low-carbon economy. Efforts such as the rollout of a city-wide bike-sharing program and incentives for businesses to adopt green practices are already underway. Building digital skills, promoting sustainable living, and enforcing environmental laws to protect biodiversity and natural landscapes are key components of this transformation.

Education Reform: Modernizing the education system to equip students with critical thinking, problem-solving, entrepreneurship, and creativity skills is necessary. Updating curricula to reflect the needs of sophisticated societies and competitive businesses will help cultivate a knowledge economy. Initiatives like the introduction of coding and robotics classes in schools are preparing students for future job markets.

Justice System Reform: Enhancing the efficiency and credibility of the justice system by expediting legal processes and reducing corruption is vital. Implementing an electronic case management system has already reduced case backlog, boosting trust among citizens and signaling to the global community that Nicosia is a reliable place for business (UNDP).

Nicosia must address its declining GDP per capita and move away from relying solely on historical competitive advantages. Diversifying the economy, fostering resilience to global developments, and preparing for environmental crises are essential. A holistic approach involving green transformation and sustainable business practices will mitigate financial, physical, and sovereign risks associated with climate change. Accelerating the green transformation is not only environmentally responsible but also economically beneficial in the long run, as it will reduce future costs and improve sovereign credit ratings, thereby protecting public finances (Nicosia Road Map). 

Comparative Analysis and Conclusion

Infrastructure and Technological Integration

Developed cities such as Zurich and Oslo are distinguished by their well-established infrastructures, which facilitate the seamless integration of advanced technologies. These cities have robust systems in place, allowing for comprehensive smart city implementations that enhance urban living. In contrast, least developed cities like Athens and Nicosia are still in the early stages of developing the necessary infrastructure, often requiring external support and investment.

Focus Areas: Mobility, Sustainability, and Inclusivity

Both developed and least developed cities emphasize the importance of smart mobility and sustainability. However, the scope and sophistication of their initiatives vary significantly. Developed cities implement extensive, city-wide smart systems that offer integrated solutions across various sectors. In contrast, least developed cities typically focus on smaller-scale pilot projects and targeted sectors, gradually building their capabilities to achieve broader smart city goals.

Challenges and Opportunities

Developed cities face unique challenges, including the need to maintain and upgrade existing systems, ensure cybersecurity, and manage data privacy effectively. The complexity of these tasks increases as these cities continue to advance technologically. Conversely, least developed cities contend with challenges such as funding constraints, limited expertise, and slower rates of technology adoption. Despite these hurdles, the opportunities for growth and improvement in these cities are substantial. Increasing urbanization and the global push towards smart city frameworks provide a promising backdrop for these cities to advance their development agendas.

Comparative Analysis and Conclusion

The IMD Smart City Index 2024 underscores the diverse paths that European cities are taking in their quest to achieve smart city status. Developed cities lead the way with their advanced infrastructure and integrated technologies, setting benchmarks for efficiency, sustainability, and quality of life. Meanwhile, least developed cities display significant potential through targeted investments and innovative strategies aimed at overcoming their unique challenges.

As these cities continue to evolve, their experiences offer invaluable insights for urban planners, policymakers, and technology providers. The lessons learned from both ends of the spectrum can guide efforts to create sustainable, inclusive, and technologically advanced urban environments worldwide. For instance, Zurich’s implementation of a city-wide sensor network for real-time traffic management could inspire similar projects in Athens, while Oslo’s focus on renewable energy sources can serve as a model for Nicosia’s green transformation efforts.

In conclusion, the journey towards becoming a smart city is unique for each urban center, influenced by its specific context, resources, and challenges. By fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange between cities at different stages of development, we can accelerate the global progress towards smarter, more resilient urban futures. Whether it’s the sophisticated systems of Zurich or the burgeoning initiatives of Nicosia, each city’s efforts contribute to the broader goal of enhancing urban life through technology and innovation.

photo credit freepik 

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