Helping CIOs Understand "Smart City" Initiatives

Cities are becoming "smarter," as governments, businesses, and communities increasingly rely on technology to overcome the challenges from rapid urbanization. What makes a "smart city" smart is the combined use of software systems, server infrastructure, network infrastructure, and client devices — which Forrester calls Smart Computing technologies — to better connect seven critical city infrastructure components and services: city administration, education, healthcare, public safety, real estate, transportation, and utilities. The concept of the smart city is pushing the CIOs in federal, state, and local governments and their technology teams to further evaluate emerging technologies and engage with key stakeholders within and outside of their organizations. To successfully deliver on the smart city vision, CIOs should have a clear understanding of what the smart city is, its key drivers, and their role in it.