European Line
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under the new Horizon 20:20 programe.
permanent initiatives (Traffic Control
It is revolutionary in that the
Centre and Freight Consolidation
projects being delivered are innovative
Center). Bristol is advantageou in that
and are applied within a Bristol context
its companies in microelectronics,
using our own approach to smart cities,
environmental technology and digital
putting people at the heart of a smart city,
creativity collaborate with the community.
rather than centering on technology. For
For example, Bristol’s Living Lab in
example, the So La Bristol smart grid
Knowle West consists of a group of
project is the first in the world to use
people actively involved in the creation
bespoke technology in residents’ homes
and evaluation of technologies which they
to connect solar photovoltaic power
will ultimately use.
generation to battery storage units. The
The city was awarded European
smart city approach places people and
“Green Capital” status for 2015. The
communities at the center of technological
European Green Capital 2015 programe
innovation as the city believes that it is
will also contribute to these targets,
how people interact with technology that
promoting Bristol as a center for
helps inform behavior change and helps
innovation in Green technology. Some
City to achieve its aims. To that end, the
of the projects which will be funded and
So La Bristol project works with a local
delivered as part of the Green Capital
community based on charity with the
2015 include:
specific aim of stakeholder engagement.
◆
The Bristol Prize: a new annual
Furthermore, Bristol’s Green Capital
award for the best new clean technology.
status will allow the city to revolutionize
This will help deliver solutions for cities
its approach by raising the profile of
to dealing with and alleviating climate
Bristol on a wider international scale
change.
and attracting investment in innovative technologies within the city.
◆
A sustainable living program in
UK schools to educate up to 4.5 million children about climate change and about
2. Characteristics
Smart City Bristol was launched in 2011 focusing on Smart Energy, Smart
how cities can contribute to tackling this issue. ◆
An international festival for Clean
Transport and Smart Data. It includes
Technology Business, in Bristol, for a
pilot projects (smart metering, smart grid,
number of high profile sectors which have
electric vehicles, open data), alongside
the greatest scope for boosting growth.