Over the past decades, private companies have largely been at the forefront of smart city development on a global basis, while public organizations, municipalities and cities have struggled with limited resources. Technology has been central, while understanding the needs of residents and improving their quality of life has been a secondary goal.
At the core of this initiative, funded by Nordic Innovation, is a global need for an alternative, human-centered smart city model. Nordic country characteistics such as high-quality public services, extensive user data, high levels of trust in public organizations, openness in decisions, citizen participation and respect for privacy make Nordic municipalities and cities an ideal starting point.
The ambition is to strengthen the Nordic region's position as a leading smart city region globally, by offering an alternative smart city model that puts the quality of life of its citizens at the center.
The ambition is to strengthen globally, the Nordic countries collective position as a leading smart city region by offering an alternative smart city model that puts the quality of life of its citizens at the center.
Nordic smart city model
Based on already existing smart city initiatives and strategies in the Nordic countries, including the Norwegian National Roadmap for Smart and Sustainable Cities and Communities, we will develop a united Nordic smart city model, which can serve as a framework for smart city work in cities and municipalities both in the Nordics and internationally. The model will describe how Nordic cities and municipalities can act as drivers and facilitators for collaborative processes, and use new technology while protecting and putting forward the interests of the inhabitants.
– Especially in the current situation with respect to corona, it is now more relevant than ever to stimulate the development of the smart, sustainable and resilient cities and communities of the future, says Malin Kock Hansen, Senior Adviser at DOGA.
In addition to defining and describing a Nordic smart city model, we will identify projects from each Nordic country that demonstrate the model in practice. These projects will be showcased in selected international arenas.
– The ambition is to strengthen globally, the Nordic countries collective position as a leading smart city region by offering an alternative smart city model that puts the quality of life of its citizens at the center, says Hansen.
The following actors are behind the initiative:
Nordic Smart City Network
Nordic Edge
Design and Architecture Norway (DOGA)
Danish Design Center
Danish Architecture Center
Bloxhub
Demos Helsinki
Iceland Design and Architecture
Nordic Urban Resilience Institute
