Learning from Cities— The 2nd Guangzhou International Award for Urban Innovation
016 partnerships, promoting innovative
opportunity to drive the smart city agenda
solutions through the smart deployment
forward.
of information and communication
Finally, and most crucially, the
technology (ICT) and digital connectivity.
individual projects being delivered under
There have been a number of
the smart city agenda and the Green
significant social-political changes in
Capital program have been brought
Bristol in the last two years which have
together under the overarching objective
served as a spring-board for the further
of increasing the city’s resilience to
action. For example, having recently
challenges posed by a large urban area.
been awarded “Green Capital” status
A major flood and infrastructure
for 2015, Bristol is about to embark on
failure (energy, ICT, transport and tap
an ambitious program of showcasing
water) pose the most significant risks for
Bristol’s achievements as a “smart city”,
Bristol in the short term, whilst in the
as well as using this as an opportunity to
long term, the city systems will become
attract further inward investment.
increasingly stressed on account of energy
In 2012, the city voted for its
security, disrupted food systems, public
first directly-elected mayor, therefore
health risks and economic vulnerability.
providing greater leadership and
Population growth and increased
□ Bristol former mayor George Ferguson guides the students how to plant a tree