Adelaide, Sunshine Coast named in top 7 intelligent communities

Adelaide and the Sunshine Coast are in the running for ‘Intelligent Community of the Year’ after being named in the Intelligent Community Forum’s (ICF) Top 7.

The award recognises cities’ achievements in using digital connectivity to support workforce development, an innovation ecosystem, digital inclusion, engagement, sustainability and, ultimately, economic growth.

The announcement marks the Sunshine Coast’s second consecutive Top 7 listing and Adelaide’s debut. It follows their recognition in ICF’s ‘Smart21’ in October last year.

“The Top7 award demonstrates we are continuing to deliver world-class initiatives together with the community across the six indicators of broadband, knowledge workforce, innovation, digital innovation, engagement and sustainability,” Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson said.

“Our region’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, which has expanded 65% in the last four years, reflects the dynamic network of education programs, business incubators, co-working spaces, advocacy events and meet-ups which support and encourage entrepreneurial talent, new ideas and creativity.”

Adelaide Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor said it was a “huge honour” to join the top 7.

“For over a decade, we have been strategically investing in projects which now position Adelaide as the most connected city in Australia. The cornerstone of this achievement is Ten Gigabit Adelaide — our new, Australian first, ten-gigabit-per-second data network,” Verschoor said.

“As a city, we’ve built active and collaborative relationships across all levels of government, universities and the private sector. This has supported innovation and entrepreneurship, fuelling investment and economic growth.

“As we look to finalise our 2020–2024 Strategic Plan we’ll continue to focus on our smart city agenda, on creating even greater digital capabilities and connectivity, and ensuring we’re recognised as an affordable and innovative place to do business.”

The cities were acknowledged at an event in 2019’s Intelligent Community of the Year, Taoyuan, Taiwan, alongside Hamilton and Markham, Ontario, Canada; Hudson and Westerville, Ohio, USA; and Tallinn, Estonia.

“A trend of small and midsize cities evolving into successful Intelligent Communities continues,” ICF Co-Founder Louis Zacharilla said.

“These places are not only achieving as separate communities, they are pushing their nations toward new ideas, economic growth and sustainability. What we are seeing is the realisation of what Taiwan’s national leaders and the state of Ohio are attempting to create: ‘Intelligent nations, states and regions’. It’s a very exciting time for these smaller cities because they are proving size matters less than adapting.”

2020’s Intelligent Community of the year will be announced at an awards dinner in Dublin, Ohio, on 18 June.

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