New large-scale initiative towards Europe smart cities

The Smart Cities Stakeholder Platform, part of the Smart Cities and Community Partnership, which was launched by the European Commission in early 2012, works as an advisory body for the EU’s leading research initiative on the future of cities. Members include technology producers, energy providers and urban visionaries. The open-invitation group is already 1,000 members strong, and is currently building a database of high-tech solutions to help build the smart cities of tomorrow. The ideas, coming from the
December 18, 2012 Read time: 2 mins

The Smart Cities Stakeholder Platform, part of the Smart Cities and Community Partnership, which was launched by the 1690 European Commission in early 2012, works as an advisory body for the EU’s leading research initiative on the future of cities. Members include technology producers, energy providers and urban visionaries.  

The open-invitation group is already 1,000 members strong, and is currently building a database of high-tech solutions to help build the smart cities of tomorrow. The ideas, coming from the private sector and academia alike, address three key urban systems: 

Mobility and transport, including: 

• Providing real-time information that helps motorists locate available parking space at their destination before and during their trips; and

• A smart-phone app that helps older passengers plan public transport journeys that satisfy their special needs for comfort, safety and convenience. 

Energy efficiency and buildings, including:

• Economising on household electricity use by letting your home PC turn appliances on and off depending on power supply and price; and

• Using heat pumps to exploit thermal energy from sewage. 

Energy supply networks, including:

• Using “smart power grids” to make small communities 100% energy self-sufficient from a combination of solar power, biomass and heat pumps; and

• Integrated infrastructure networks for combined heat and power.

In June 2013, after discussion and multiple rounds of voting by platform members, the best ideas, together with policy recommendations, will be showcased at a conference in Budapest to be attended by EU decision makers, high-tech producers and representatives from European cities. 

This event, the first public showcase of the Smart Cities initiative, will help set the stage for the EU’s Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, a seven-year programme aimed at making Europe more competitive and sustainable. It will be the platform members’ chance steer urban research toward the most needed and promising technologies, opening funding channels that will help nurture innovative ideas so that they’re market ready. 

Cities and people are at the core of the Smart Cities and Community Partnership, which seeks to improve quality of life in urban areas – now housing 70 percent of European citizens and accounting for 70 percent of energy use and 75 percent of greenhouse gas emissions.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • 10 years on, where’s MaaS heading?
    July 7, 2025
    Where are we now with Mobility as a Service? Roelof Hellemans of MaaS Alliance takes a look back over the last decade – and looks ahead to how the industry needs to be thinking in future
    Read More
  • Telvent presents its integrated global IT solutions for smart cities
    November 8, 2012
    Real-time IT solutions and information provider Telvent recently presented its global IT solutions for smart cities. Developed with Schneider Electric, Telvent says its SmartCity concept provides cities with access to an integrated suite of solutions to improve the efficiency and sustainability of urban infrastructures, leading to more livable cities. The SmartCity strategy combines Schneider Electric and Telvent’s proven solutions for managing critical infrastructure, including: Smart Grid helps cities to
    Read More
  • Sowing the seeds: venture capital and ITS
    May 20, 2024
    Seed funding can help the budding creators of mobility solutions to realise their dreams and ambitions. Laura Fox of Streetlife Ventures tells Adam Hill what venture capital investors look for
    Read More
  • Big data and open governments ‘will spur developments in smart cities’
    March 23, 2015
    Smart cities are going to be amazing community hubs that will be more sustainable, efficient and supportive of citizens, according to a new report, Australia - Smart Cities - People, Transport, Cars, Buildings from reportbuyer.com. The concept of smart communities is based on intelligent infrastructure such as broadband (FttP) and smart grids, so that connected and sustainable communities can be developed. However, they cannot be built within the silo structure that currently dominates our thinking; a holis
    Read More

Highlighted Content