Smart Governance

An exciting example of tactical urbanism in Hungary is the creation of a "New Boulevard" in Budapest, between the Small and the Great Boulevard (more precisely between Andrássy street and Üllői street, connecting Székely Mihály - Kazinczy - Szentkirályi streets), where, according to the project description, "people like to walk, shop, organise community activities and neighbourhood programmes: a people-centred boulevard, where human encounters and urban recreation are at the forefront, alongside the birdsong."

In Egypt, a huge “New Administrative Capital” is being built, approximately 45km (28 miles) to the east of Cairo, mainly because the already overcrowded capital’s 22-million population is expected to double by 2050. The New Administrative Capital is expected to house embassies, government agencies, the parliament, 30 ministries, a spiralling presidential compound and some 6.5 million people when completed.

The new capital is developed with the strategic vision for a smart city integrating its smart infrastructure to provide many services to citizens:

Taking road space from motorists can be politically risky, but in Milan – one of Europe’s most congested cities – it’s starting to pay off.

In 2018, the municipality launched its Piazze Aperte ‘Open Squares’ initiative, using paint and planters, benches and ping-pong tables to reclaim public space for people to enjoy.

The Nordic Smart City Network is a collaboration initiative joining five Nordic countries, and currently 20 Nordic cities with a common goal: to explore the Nordic way to create livable and sustainable cities. All capital cities are presented in the network. Collaboration is key to stay competitive in the global market. Nordic smart cities have many shared values and visions, such as open data and the active role of citizens. The cities can benefit from closer collaboration by sharing experiences and the network provides innovative solution providers with a wider market.

XZERO is a planned sustainable community that can provide a low-carbon lifestyle for 100,000 residents in balance with nature.

The separation of organic waste is often not an optimised public service, so most of the bio-waste ends up in municipal waste. This is the problem that a couple from Newton, Sydney, have addressed and have come up with the idea of Share Waste.

Ten years ago, the Stockholm region set an ambitious target to run all land public transport on 100% fossil fuel-free fuel by 2025, but buses powered by ethanol and RME (rapeseed methyl ester) contain some percentage of fossil ingredients, therefore, the total number of buses will not be 100% fossil fuel free, as fossil components are needed to start the engine or enter the production process. However, buses that run on electricity, biogas or HVO (hydrogenated vegetable oil) will use 100% fossil fuel-free raw materials.

 Székesfehérvár was the first city among the cities with county rights to launch a city mobile application, which helped to provide quick and reliable information to Székesfehérvár residents during the coronavirus epidemic. In addition to the latest news and information, it can also be used for map-based bug reports and to report city operation problems.

Merwede is a neighbourhood in Utrecht, one of the fastest growing cities in the Netherlands. An old industrial area, it is now undergoing a transformation process based on urban planning criteria that puts clean and shared mobility ahead of the existing prioritisation of road traffic.The demolition works have begun in 2020 and the final project includes sustainable housing for around 12,000 people (the first residents are expected to move in by 2024). The new neighbourhood of Merwede will enable residents to access all the services on foot or using bicycles.

Szabihíd is a non-profit cultural event, an occasion for the pedestrian use of the Liberty Bridge. Its aim is to bring people closer to urban spaces, to their city and to the river that runs through it, and uncover the opportunities lying in our public spaces.