Six finalist cities including Dubai, Buenos Aires and Moscow, were shortlisted for the Smart City of the Year award which was given during the last edition of the SCEWC.
– “And the winner is… Peterborough, United Kingdom!”
– “Peter…what? Does it really exist a place with that name? There is not any Peterborough United in the Premier League!”
Peterborough, Cathedral Square. Image by Dave Hitchborne at Wikimedia Commons.
After the initial astonishment, a quick look at the Wikipedia dispels my doubts. It is a medium-sized city (184,000 inhabitants in 2011) situated 75 miles north of London, in the county of Cambridgeshire. It is a city which has rapidly grown as it has doubled its population in the last 50 years.
Once placed in the right site I am ready to know the project which has deserved such an important recognition. The Peterborough DNA program is a joint initiative of the economic development company Opportunity Peterborough and the City Council focused on growth, innovation, citizen’s skills and sustainability (environmental as well as economic) with the goal of making Peterborough a better place to invest, work and live. The members of the jury based their decision in the commitment to becoming the UK’s first circular city, thanks to the adoption of the innovative concept of circular economy, a topic that they took into account positively. The judges also were convinced by the importance that the programme gives to environment and by the collaborative approach to citizen engagement.
The election of Peterborough as Smart City of the Year is a very pleasant surprise and a recognition of well-done work in an urban space different to a big city. Hopefully this election will encourage other small and medium-sized cities to develop programmes and projects that approach them to the smart city paradigm so they can adapt themselves to the requirements and necessities of the 21st century city. The success of this medium-sized city shows that the adoption of the smart city can also (and should) be carried out by all them according to their needs. The tools are available, they only need the ideas. The improvement of the quality of life of their citizens and the efficient management of the available resources is currently an essential goal in any urban space, regardless of size.
Finally I’d just say congratulations, Peterborough!
The Bit City 