IBM is awarding $50 million worth of technology and consulting services to 100 cities worldwide (50 in North America), in a program called the Smarter Cities Challenge.
IBMers on the Smarter Cities Challenge teams will immerse themselves in local issues and present the cities with recommendations on how technology might play a role in helping to achieve:
- Successful growth
- Improved delivery of municipal services
- More efficient administrative processes
- Better citizen engagement
- An overall higher quality of life for residents
These concepts can be applied to many areas of civic life including the administration of healthcare, education, transportation, criminal justice services, sustainability, budget, energy, and utilities.
IBM’s work around the world has informed the structure for this program. Read the success stories from these Smarter Cities Challenge pilot locations and Corporate Service Corps engagements:
- Austin, TX (https://smartercitieschallenge.org/city_austin_tx.html)
- Baltimore, MD (https://smartercitieschallenge.org/city_baltimore_md.html)
- Mecklenburg County, NC (https://smartercitieschallenge.org/city_MecklenburgCounty_nc.html)
- Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (https://smartercitieschallenge.org/city_ho_chi_minh.html)
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazi (https://smartercitieschallenge.org/city_rio_de_janeiro.html)
- Katowice, Poland (https://smartercitieschallenge.org/city_katowice_poland.html)
- Chengdu, China (https://smartercitieschallenge.org/city_chengdu_china.html)
Municipalities will be selected based on a number of criteria:
- Ability to clearly articulate between two and four strategic issues that can reasonably be acted upon
- Track record of innovative problem solving
- Commitment to the use of technology and open data
- Demonstrated willingness to provide access and time with city leaders and public engagement
The deadline to apply is December 31, 2010.
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