Top 10 smart cities in Europe
Business Chief EMEA takes a look at how 10 cities in Europe are driving smart city initiatives
Eden Strategy Institute reports that with over half the plant living in cities, more than two thirds of the world’s population will be urbanised by 2050.
With this in mind, smart city innovations around the world provide new ways of engaging with citizens, increase quality of life and drive sustainability.
Business Chief EMEA takes a look at the top 10 ranked smart cities in Europe from the Eden Strategy Institute’s research report.
1. London
Ranking at number one for both Europe and the world, London received its highest marks for its leadership, financial incentives, innovation ecosystem and smart policies. In 2016, the mayor — Sadiq Khan — launched Smart London 2.0, a smart city strategy focused on digital inclusion. Three years later in 2019, the City of London Corporation launched a smart IoT initiative.
2. Helsinki
Ranking at number two for Europe and fifth in the world, Helsinki received its highest marks for its budget, talent readiness and its track record.
Helsinki is part of Finland’s six city strategy — an open innovation platform. Helsinki has also established a smart innovation district known as Kalasatama. The district is working on over 25 infrastructure, building and experimental projects.
3. Barcelona
Ranking at number three for Europe and ninth in the world, Barcelona received its highest marks for its track record.
The city has invested heavily in its IT infrastructure and the internet of things (IoT), which has reportedly saved the city US$58mn on water, generated US$50mn in parking revenue (per year), and created 47,000 jobs.
4. Vienna
Ranking at number four for Europe and Twelfth in the world, Vienna ranked highest for its vision and track record.
In 2013, the city established its Aspern Smart City Research (ASCP) project, which is reported to be one of the largest urban development schemes in the continent.
5. Amsterdam
Ranking at number five for Europe and thirteenth in the world, Amsterdam received its highest marks for its financial incentives and smart policies.
Supporting over 40 projects, the city’s ‘Amsterdam Smart City (ASC)’ public-private partnership brings together businesses, authorities, universities and citizens to develop digital solutions for social, economic and environmental impact.
6. Stockholm
Ranking at number six for Europe and fifthteen in the world, Stockholm received its highest marks for its vision.
The city utilises a forward thinking approach called design fiction. The approach creates speculative future scenarios, such as the potential for Stockholm in 2040.
7. Copenhagen
Ranking at number seven for Europe and twenty-fifth in the world, Copenhagen received its highest marks for its people centricity and innovation ecosystem.
By 2025, Copenhagen aspires to become the world’s first carbon neutral capital, this goal is the focal point of its smart city strategy.
8. Berlin
Ranking at number eight for Europe and twenty-ninth in the world, Berlin received its highest marks for its leadership.
In 2015, Berlin established its smart city strategy to drive creativity and culture to foster high quality life when it comes to urban development. Objectives within the strategy are centred around increasing competitiveness, increasing resource efficiency and becoming carbon neutral.
9. Dublin
Ranking at number nine for Europe and forty-first in the world, Dublin ranks highest for its innovation ecosystem. The cities strategy is centred around open data and testing innovative urban solutions in the metropolitan areas.
10. Reykjavik
Ranking at number 10 for Europe and forty-fourth in the world, Reykjavik ranks highest for its innovation ecosystem.
The city’s smart city strategy is aligned with the government’s wider strategies to make city services more efficient, accessible and environmentally friendly.
For more information on business topics in Europe, Middle East and Africa please take a look at the latest edition of Business Chief EMEA.
