Canterbury Bankstown hosts smart cities think tank

In an Australian local government first, the City of Canterbury Bankstown has hosted more than 20 delegates at a smart cities think tank, tackling the question of how to engage some of the City’s most vulnerable communities on what defines a smart city.

Smart Cities Council Executive Director Adam Beck said Project Legacy was one of a kind.

“I have never seen a council go to this length to inform all sections of its local community on what a smart city is, and how they can be involved,” Beck said. “It’s a game changer!

“The community is at the heart of everything we do, but specifically focusing on marginalised or vulnerable residents, like youth and the CALD community, is something that just isn’t done very often. Today was really special for us, at the Smart Cities Council.

“Today, we put every single delegate in that room to work. Everyone was so engaged and interested, and the ideas and opportunities were free-flowing. I’m excited to see what’s next for Canterbury Bankstown.”

The event attracted experts from Australia and abroad, local community groups and residents, council staff, and event sponsors, including the Smart Cities Council and Deloitte.

Mayor Khal Asfour said Canterbury Bankstown was selected to host Project Legacy because it had a reputation for using technology for social good and having a keen focus on equity.

“Today we came up with a number of actions which use technology and data to engage with our community and ensure everyone has a voice in our smart cities conversation,” he said.

“It was a fantastic opportunity, for delegates, to leave a lasting legacy in Canterbury Bankstown; for the community, to be heard and play a part in designing our future; and for council to co-create with some of the best and brightest, and emerge smarter.”

Council has also recently endorsed its draft Smart Cities Roadmap, which explores how data and technology can be used to improve the lives of residents, workers and visitors to Canterbury Bankstown; and identify what is required to create a thriving, dynamic and real city of the future.

The roadmap will be on public exhibition until mid-June 2019.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/madpixblue

Please follow us and share on Twitter and Facebook. You can also subscribe for FREE to our weekly newsletter and quarterly magazine.