Smart city or not? Check and see how yours compares

Smart city or not? Check and see how yours compares
Staff reporterFebruary 13, 2020

GUEST OBSERVATION

The highest-ranked areas in an Australia-wide assessment of smart city performance are all in metropolitan regions with higher population densities. “Australia’s 60 top-performing local government areas house more than quarter of the nation’s population,” we note in the newly released Smart Cities Down Under report.

As well as highlighting major regional disparities, our analysis reveals the local government areas we assessed against four smart city indicator areas generally perform strongly in one of these, “Liveability and Well-being”. Performances are weaker in “Sustainability and Accessibility” and “Governance and Planning”. High performance in “Productivity and Innovation” existed only in the top-performing areas.

We assessed 180 local government areas (out of 563 in Australia), representing more than 85% of the nation’s population, against smart city criteria. We included all local government areas in metropolitan Australia (Greater Capital City Statistical Areas) and regional local government areas with populations of more than 50,000.

Locations of investigated local government areas. Author provided

This study is an expanded version of the Smart Cities of the Sunshine State 2018 report.

It’s not all about technology

Cities are complex systems and should be evaluated in a holistic way. This means not placing excessive weight on technological achievements – such as tech for tech’s sake – in lieu of economic, social, environmental and governance outcomes.

Our conceptual framework to evaluate smartness levels was built on the four pillars of economy, society, environment and governance. The evaluation criteria are shown below.

Author provided

We categorised the 180 local government areas we assessed into three performance categories:

  • Leading, the best-performing cities

  • Following, the cities with achievements and potential, but not at the level of the best performers

  • Developing, the cities with some progress and potential, but not as substantial as the other two categories.

Who's leading the way?

All areas in the leading category were completely contained within capital city metropolitan areas.

New South Wales ranked first with 20 local government areas. Then came Western Australia (14), Victoria (12), South Australia (9), Northern Territory (2) and Queensland, Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania (1 each). In terms of population in leading areas, the ranking changed to: NSW (2,348,388 people), Victoria (1,477,964), Queensland (1,131,155), WA (557,163), ACT (397,397), SA (370,719), NT (112,590) and Tasmania (50,439).

You can see below how the combined results for each of leading, following and developing performers compare against the four smart city indicator areas.

Comparison of leading, following and developing cluster performances. Author provided

You can see the smart city performance matrix of your local government area here.

Key steps towards smarter cities

Metropolitan local government areas dominate the leading performance category. Mechanisms such as the Australian government’s City and Regional Deals and funding through the Smart Cities and Suburbs Program have delivered some tangible impacts.

The performance is less strong in regional Australia. A national smart city strategy and guidelines are needed to help make these localities and communities smarter.

This policy should take on the following findings of our international study of smart cities:

  1. smart cities that focus only on technology seldom work

  2. local governments should adopt the role of facilitator

  3. risks need to be shared with the private sector

  4. local governments should be open to innovations and learn from mistakes

  5. smart cities should focus on being inclusive

  6. resource consumption must be considered, particularly in relation to the longevity of technological infrastructure

  7. long-term sustainability depends on renewable resources

  8. smart cities require a smart community that is knowledgeable, conscious, forward-thinking, engaged, united and active.

The Urban Studies Lab at Queensland University of Technology prepared the report in partnership with the Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communication. Our Smart City Research Team has had conversations with city managers, mayors, local government professionals and key community stakeholders (e.g., businesses, not-for-profits, NGOs and academic institutions, among others). These conversations confirm local governments have a critical role to play if Australia is to manage vexing societal challenges from climate change to accessing economic opportunities, and even dealing with transformations driven by information technologies such as automation, innovation and artificial intelligence).

Local governments do not function well in isolation. Any local government is only as strong as the other local governments within its vicinity. They must interact to share and access public resources.

Leading cities can learn from the frugal innovations of their less fortunate peers. Our best-performing cities are similar to incumbents in the industry sector in that they face their own challenges to modernise.

Too often these cities seek solutions that are not frugal and cannot leverage indigenous knowledge. Less well-resourced communities must engage in different modes of innovation. We believe better networks need to be set up to foster dialogue and exchange practices across communities.

The good news in our report is that our leading cities fare well. The not-so-good news is that the other local governments need to be brought along on a transformation journey. No city is an island, and no country can treat cities as independent elements.

Australia, we believe, should consolidate its local governance and planning culture to lead the change.The Conversation

Tan Yigitcanlar, Associate Professor of Urban Studies and Planning, Queensland University of Technology; Karen Vella, Associate Professor and Head, School, Built Environment, Queensland University of Technology; Kevin Clyde Desouza, Professor of Business, Technology and Strategy, Queensland University of Technology; Luke Butler, Research Assistant, Queensland University of Technology, and Nayomi Kankanamge, PhD Candidate, School of Built Environment, Queensland University of Technology

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Editor's Picks

First look: MADE Property doubles down in Kirribilli new apartment market
Spyre Group brings successful Queensland blueprint to Melbourne with Hampton Ltd
Saxon Street by Milieu to bring new housing and urban design to Brunswick’s cultural core
Construction begins at Fishermans Bend Innovation Precinct
Gurner reveals new plans for final Jam Factory stage

Related Projects

16-22 Maud Street, Newstead QLD 4006
16-22 Maud Street, Newstead QLD 4006
16-22 Maud Street, Newstead QLD 4006
Price
Contact agent
35-37 Mount Street, Prahran VIC 3181
35-37 Mount Street, Prahran VIC 3181
35-37 Mount Street, Prahran VIC 3181
Price
Contact agent
118-124 Benelong Road, Cremorne NSW 2090
118-124 Benelong Road, Cremorne NSW 2090
118-124 Benelong Road, Cremorne NSW 2090
Price
Contact agent
118-120 Matthew Flinders Drive, Cooee Bay QLD 4703
118-120 Matthew Flinders Drive, Cooee Bay QLD 4703
118-120 Matthew Flinders Drive, Cooee Bay QLD 4703
Price
Contact agent
26-62 Kinross Road, Thornlands QLD 4164
26-62 Kinross Road, Thornlands QLD 4164
26-62 Kinross Road, Thornlands QLD 4164
Price
Contact agent
9-11 Baroonba Street, Whitebridge NSW 2290
9-11 Baroonba Street, Whitebridge NSW 2290
9-11 Baroonba Street, Whitebridge NSW 2290
Price
Contact agent
18 Ransley Street, Penrith NSW 2750
Perle, East Side Quarter, Penrith - 18 Ransley Street, Penrith
18 Ransley Street, Penrith NSW 2750
Price
Contact agent
Ernest Cavanagh Street, Gungahlin ACT 2912
Raya, Gungahlin - Ernest Cavanagh Street, Gungahlin
Ernest Cavanagh Street, Gungahlin ACT 2912
Price
Contact agent
39 Browning Street, South Brisbane QLD 4101
39-41 Browning Street, South Brisbane - 39 Browning Street, South Brisbane
39 Browning Street, South Brisbane QLD 4101
Price
Contact agent
675 Gardeners Road, Mascot NSW 2020
Kiara North, Mascot - 675 Gardeners Road, Mascot
675 Gardeners Road, Mascot NSW 2020
Price
Contact agent
187 Salvado Road, Jolimont WA 6014
Jolie, Jolimont - 187 Salvado Road, Jolimont
187 Salvado Road, Jolimont WA 6014
Price
Contact agent
47 Maning Avenue, Sandy Bay TAS 7005
Grace Residences - 47 Maning Avenue, Sandy Bay
47 Maning Avenue, Sandy Bay TAS 7005
Price
Contact agent
Cove Lane, Narooma NSW 2546
Cove, Narooma - Cove Lane, Narooma
Cove Lane, Narooma NSW 2546
Price
Contact agent
52-56 Ramsay Street, Five Dock NSW 2046
Ava, Five Dock - 52-56 Ramsay Street, Five Dock
52-56 Ramsay Street, Five Dock NSW 2046
Price
Contact agent
2375 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
The Alfred - 2375 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
2375 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
Price
Contact agent
129-131 Russell Ave, Dolls Point NSW 2219
ALLURE COLLECTION - 129-131 Russell Ave, Dolls Point
129-131 Russell Ave, Dolls Point NSW 2219
Price
Contact agent
62 Constitution Avenue, Parkes ACT 2600
The Eastbourne on Commonwealth Park - 62 Constitution Avenue, Parkes
62 Constitution Avenue, Parkes ACT 2600
Price
Contact agent
155 Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach QLD 4218
Sandpiper, Broadbeach - 155 Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach
155 Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach QLD 4218
Price
Contact agent
33 Vulture Street, West End QLD 4101
33 Vulture Street, West End QLD 4101
33 Vulture Street, West End QLD 4101
Price
Contact agent
19 Governor Terrace, Murarrie QLD 4172
Park Hill Village Collection, Murarrie - 19 Governor Terrace, Murarrie
19 Governor Terrace, Murarrie QLD 4172
Price
Contact agent
122 Marine Parade, Miami QLD 4220
Nalu, Miami - 122 Marine Parade, Miami
122 Marine Parade, Miami QLD 4220
Price
Contact agent
34 Jacaranda Place, Indooroopilly QLD 4068
34 Jacaranda Place, Indooroopilly QLD 4068
34 Jacaranda Place, Indooroopilly QLD 4068
Price
Contact agent
167 Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach QLD 4218
167 Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach QLD 4218
167 Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach QLD 4218
Price
Contact agent
21 Queens Way, Yeerongpilly QLD 4105
Yeerongpilly Green - 21 Queens Way, Yeerongpilly
21 Queens Way, Yeerongpilly QLD 4105
Price
Contact agent
445-449 River St, Ballina NSW 2478
Solhaven - 445-449 River St, Ballina
445-449 River St, Ballina NSW 2478
Price
Contact agent
52 Sunset Boulevard, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
52 Sunset Boulevard, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
52 Sunset Boulevard, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Price
Contact agent
6 Jack Brabham Drive, Hurstville NSW
Horizon Hurstville - 6 Jack Brabham Drive, Hurstville
6 Jack Brabham Drive, Hurstville NSW
Price
Contact agent
49 Seena Drive, Edgeworth NSW 2285
49 Seena Drive, Edgeworth NSW 2285
49 Seena Drive, Edgeworth NSW 2285
Price
Contact agent
Lot 118 Ocean Steamers Road, Port Adelaide SA 5015
Lot 118 Ocean Steamers Road, Port Adelaide SA 5015
Lot 118 Ocean Steamers Road, Port Adelaide SA 5015
Price
Contact agent
203 Ashmore Road, Benowa QLD 4217
203 Ashmore Road, Benowa QLD 4217
203 Ashmore Road, Benowa QLD 4217
Price
Contact agent
774 Ripley Road, Ripley QLD 4306
774 Ripley Road, Ripley QLD 4306
774 Ripley Road, Ripley QLD 4306
Price
Contact agent
6 Homelea Court, Rivervale WA 6103
6 Homelea Court, Rivervale WA 6103
6 Homelea Court, Rivervale WA 6103
Price
Contact agent
7002 Ripley Road, Ripley QLD 4306
7002 Ripley Road, Ripley QLD 4306
7002 Ripley Road, Ripley QLD 4306
Price
Contact agent
3 Delos Way, Sorrento WA 6020
3 Delos Way, Sorrento WA 6020
3 Delos Way, Sorrento WA 6020
Price
Contact agent
77 Sutton Street, Redcliffe QLD 4020
77 Sutton Street, Redcliffe QLD 4020
77 Sutton Street, Redcliffe QLD 4020
Price
Contact agent
119 Queen Street & 86 King Street, Bendigo VIC 3550
119 Queen Street & 86 King Street, Bendigo VIC 3550
119 Queen Street & 86 King Street, Bendigo VIC 3550
Price
Contact agent
181 Prospect Road, Prospect SA 5082
181 Prospect Road, Prospect SA 5082
181 Prospect Road, Prospect SA 5082
Price
Contact agent
593-595 Albany Highway, Victoria Park WA 6100
593-595 Albany Highway, Victoria Park WA 6100
593-595 Albany Highway, Victoria Park WA 6100
Price
Contact agent
1-28, 40 Civic Way, Rouse Hill NSW 2155
1-28, 40 Civic Way, Rouse Hill NSW 2155
1-28, 40 Civic Way, Rouse Hill NSW 2155
Price
Contact agent
93-97 Bay Street, Brighton VIC 3186
93-97 Bay Street, Brighton VIC 3186
93-97 Bay Street, Brighton VIC 3186
Price
Contact agent
22-38 & 27-31 The Avenue, Coburg VIC 3058
22-38 & 27-31 The Avenue, Coburg VIC 3058
22-38 & 27-31 The Avenue, Coburg VIC 3058
Price
Contact agent
1F Ashline Street, Wollert VIC 3750
1F Ashline Street, Wollert VIC 3750
1F Ashline Street, Wollert VIC 3750
Price
Contact agent
Lots 100 & 900 Kentucky Court, Cockburn Central WA 6164
Lots 100 & 900 Kentucky Court, Cockburn Central WA 6164
Lots 100 & 900 Kentucky Court, Cockburn Central WA 6164
Price
Contact agent
1260-1272 Malvern Road, Malvern VIC 3144
1260-1272 Malvern Road, Malvern VIC 3144
1260-1272 Malvern Road, Malvern VIC 3144
Price
Contact agent
472 Regency Road, Prospect SA 5082
472 Regency Road, Prospect SA 5082
472 Regency Road, Prospect SA 5082
Price
Contact agent
273A Gorge Road, Paradise SA 5075
273 Gorge Road, Paradise SA 5075 - 273A Gorge Road, Paradise
273A Gorge Road, Paradise SA 5075
Price
Contact agent
270 The Esplanade, Miami QLD 4220
270 The Esplanade, Miami QLD 4220
270 The Esplanade, Miami QLD 4220
Price
Contact agent
2 & 6 Austral Parade, East Bunbury WA 6230
2 & 6 Austral Parade, East Bunbury WA 6230
2 & 6 Austral Parade, East Bunbury WA 6230
Price
Contact agent
5 Charles Street, Charlestown NSW 2290
5 Charles Street, Charlestown NSW 2290
5 Charles Street, Charlestown NSW 2290
Price
Contact agent
59 & 69 Merthyr Road, New Farm QLD 4005
59 & 69 Merthyr Road, New Farm QLD 4005
59 & 69 Merthyr Road, New Farm QLD 4005
Price
Contact agent