What will it take to transform Adelaide into a Smart City?

Wednesday, 30 September 2015

A free public event bringing together members of business, government and academia will discuss the key opportunities and challenges ahead for Adelaide to become known as a truly “Smart City”.

The half-day event, Smart Cities: Socio-Technical Innovation for Empowering Citizens, will be held from 2.00pm tomorrow at the University of Adelaide.

Organiser Professor Ali Babar, from the University’s School of Computer Science, says he sees huge potential for Adelaide to be known globally for innovations that cross over all aspects of society.

“Adelaide is an ideal location for a Smart City because it is the perfect size for generating innovation and developing strong, mutually beneficial relationships that will keep that momentum going,” Professor Babar says.

“A smart city is often seen as one that combines digital and communications technology as well as infrastructure to make a city more liveable and accessible for all – but it’s even bigger than that.

“Innovation doesn’t just come from computer science, which is my field, but from business, architecture, agricultural science, health, environment, law and road safety, to name just a few areas.”

Adelaide has already been named by tech giant Cisco as a “Lighthouse City”, making it one of only 10 in the world. Professor Babar says that on the eve of the closure of major car manufacturing in South Australia, now is the perfect time for leaders in innovation, such as the University of Adelaide, to help the City of Adelaide and the State Government to advance their agenda for making Adelaide a Smart City.

Speakers at the event include members of industry such as Microsoft, Ernst & Young and Cisco, City of Adelaide and State Government, and University of Adelaide academics.

The event will conclude with a roundtable discussion in which guests – including members of the public – can contribute their own ideas on how to make Adelaide a Smart City.

WHAT:     Smart Cities: Socio-Technical Innovation for Empowering Citizens
WHERE:   Eclipse Room, Level 4, Union House, North Terrace campus, University of Adelaide
WHEN:     2.00pm-7.00pm Thursday 1 October 2015
COST:       Free – all welcome

This event is being held as part of the 24th Australasian Software Engineering Conference (28 Sept–1 Oct).

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