Smart Cities Guide for Built Environment Consultants (Final Draft)

Abstract

Urbanisation, population growth and competitiveness are all key drivers for Australia to have a world class built environment capability. As our economy transitions to a full, knowledge-based economy, the demands upon our cities and built environment grow relentlessly. To respond to these changes and to take advantage of the emerging digital economy we need to rethink the way our built environment is planned, constructed and managed. We must adopt a new approach – one which harnesses information and communication technology (ICT) to enhance liveability, workability and sustainability. The development of a smart city embodies this approach, and we simply define the term as: The smart city is one that uses technology, data and intelligent design as tools and processes to enhance the city’s liveability, workability and sustainability. But while the pressing need for this new approach – and the vast possibilities it opens-up through the adoption of technology, data and intelligent design – are clear, so too are the challenges. Efforts to trial, scale and replicate ICT-enhanced measures for a city, development project or infrastructure investment can be difficult in markets that are often defined by heightened risk management, entrenched mindsets, complex supply chain and procurement requirements, and a myopic view on cost. The unprecedented rate at which people move to and between cities also creates a challenge to balance the adequacy of infrastructure to meet demand, with environmental and social constraints, new technological capabilities and economic competition. This Guide has been developed to support the important work of built environment consultants, to help their clients and other stakeholders overcome these barriers and challenges and take advantage of the smart technologies that allow us to re-imagine our cities and towns. With the right planning and investment, urban leaders can make cities more liveable, more workable and more sustainable - both economically and environmentally. We aspire that life is better in a smart city - better for people and better for businesses, whilst also ensuring we play our role in being custodians of the environment for future generations.