Following this week’s announcement of the Smart City Challenge winner, the White House is prompting a call to action for state and local governments to further build on smart city initiatives.
The memo cites the Smart City Challenge as just one example of how the Obama administration has worked to foster innovative and smart collaboration among state and local communities–a now 7-year-old effort.
To build on the progress made thus far, the White House will be hosting an event during Smart Cities Week, which is slated for late September in Washington, D.C. The event seeks to spark discussion among leaders across all sectors–government, tech, research, and more–to unveil new ways cities can thrive in their innovation efforts. More details to come as the year progresses.
Until then, the administration seeks input from citizens on how states can accelerate new solutions to build smarter cities. From new sources of innovation to multisector collaborations, all ideas are welcome. To contribute, you can fill out a web form here by Sept. 1.
Among other efforts, the administration’s White House Smart Cities Initiative yields as a result of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST)’s February 2016 report. The report, “Technology and the Future of Cities,” encourages states to leverage Federal resources while working with localities to better communities across the board.
