Top 10 smart cities in the united states
Business Chief EMEA ranks the top 10 smart cities in the united states
With over half the plant living in cities, Eden Strategy Institute and Ong&Ong (OXD) report that by 2050 more than two thirds of the world’s population will be urbanised. With this in mind, many cities are turning to smart city initiatives and innovations to develop new ways of engaging with citizens, increase quality of life and drive sustainability.
- New York City
“Working every day to make New York City a global model of a smart, sustainable, resilient, and livable city,” New York City (NYC) ranks number one in the United States and fourth in the world. The city ranked highest for its innovation ecosystem and track record.
As part of its efforts to battle the challenges posed by rising populations, aging infrastructure, and climate change, NYC is supporting innovation and implementing strategic plans to build a more sustainable future.
2. Boston
Ranking at number two in the United States and seventh in the world, Boston ranked highest for its talent readiness, people centricity, innovation ecosystem, smart policies and track record.
Boston was one of the first cities to launch smart initiatives in 2010, led by Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino. Its vision is to be a host for innovation.
3. San Francisco
Number three in the United States and eleventh in the world, San Francisco ranked highest for its vision and innovation ecosystem.
Over the years, San Francisco has been working on multiple smart city initiatives, such as its Smart City Challenge. The challenge looks to drive the future of shared, electric, connected, and automated vehicles to the people of San Francisco.
4. Chicago
Ranking highest for its track record, Chicago ranks at number four for the United States and seventeenth in the world.
When it comes to smart city initiatives, mayor of Chicago — Rahm Emanuel — aims to make Chicago “the most data-driven government in the world,” by implementing a data-focused strategy to create smarter infrastructure and resources.
5. Seattle
At number five in the United States and eighteenth in the world, Seattle ranked highest for its vision.
The city aspires to explore the internet of things (IoT) and become a smart, data driven city. Dating back to 2015, then mayor of Seattle — Ed Murray — challenged the city to use data to make informed decisions, focus on performance management, and become open by preference, to encourage development of innovative solutions that improve quality of life.
6. Charlotte
Striving to strengthen economic competitiveness, environmental sustainability and positive community impacts, Charlotte ranks number six in the United States and twentieth in the world.
Via the cities initiative — Envision Charlotte — the city aims to make its urban core a living laboratory to foster innovation to improve sustainability, resilience, economic competitiveness and quality of life.
7. Washington D.C.
With ambitions to “develop a complete picture, across all eight wards, of smart city-aligned projects, partner organizations, and opportunities,” Washington D.C. ranks at number seven in the United States and twenty-first in the world.
The city ranked the highest for its vision and smart policies, which is evident in its SmarterDC government program. SmarterDC aims to drive resilience, sustainability, equality and transparent collaboration.
8. Columbus
Ranking at number eight in the United States and twenty-fifth in the world, Columbus ranked highest for its vision.
As part of its efforts to establish itself as a smart city, Columbus government has established its own Smart Columbus initiative. Its mission is to accelerate human progress via open mobility and become the model for connected cities of the future.
9. Los Angeles
Ranking at number nine in the United States and twenty-sixth in the world, Los Angeles ranked highest for its people centricity. The city promotes research and development (R&D) into sustainability and data science, as well as adopting technologies to improve quality of life.
10. Atlanta
Focusing its efforts on five core pillars, Atlanta ranks at number 10 in the United States and thirty-fifth in the world. Atlanta’s five core pillars include: multi-mode transport, public safety, the environment, city operations efficiency and citizen/business engagement.
Atlanta’s strategy aims to leverage data to make better informed decisions for residents, visitors, and businesses.
For more information on business topics in the United States and Canada, please take a look at the latest edition of Business Chief North America.
