As urbanization trends continue, cities are dealing with complex challenges. At the same time, citizens have a profusion of tools - such as mobile phones, Internet access - to help them live better lives. At the intersection of these are opportunities both for cities and citizens. The application of new ‘smart solutions’ helps complex systems become more efficient, increasing connectivity and feedback, and providing powerful new decision-making tools.

Cities have the most to gain: they are dependent upon infrastructure that is of high complexity and is facing increasing pressures, and they are responsible for over 70% of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions through transportation, buildings and other city services. It is therefore critical that city leaders understand the opportunities available, and know where these services provide value for the city in delivering policy outcomes related to economic development, job growth, environmental impact, social inclusion and quality of life.

Over the next decade, cities across the world are expected to invest massively in new high technology infrastructures. These infrastructures promise to make cities more productive, more efficient, and thereby more sustainable, through the implementation of smart solutions, thereby becoming smart cities. This means cities are faced with a considerable challenge in becoming agile global procurers and regulators of technology on a large scale, raising several questions for city management. A partnership between Living Labs Global and The Climate Group will support cities in answering these questions.