3
ICMA EXAMINES SMART TECHNOLOGY PRIORITIES, MOTIVATORS, AND BARRIERS David Frasher

ICMA Examines Smart Technology Priorities, Motivators, and Barriers

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

Page 1: ICMA Examines Smart Technology Priorities, Motivators, and Barriers

ICMA EXAMINES SMART TECHNOLOGY PRIORITIES, MOTIVATORS, AND BARRIERSDavid Frasher

Page 2: ICMA Examines Smart Technology Priorities, Motivators, and Barriers

Introduction With more than a decade of experience in city administration, David

Frasher serves as the City Manager of Hot Springs, Arkansas. Dedicated to maintaining a presence in the professional community, David Frasher belongs to the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).

The ICMA, a member-driven organization dedicated to advancing local government around the world, conducted a recent study on smart city technologies, completed in partnership with the Smart Cities Council, the largest smart cities network in the world. Smart cities are those that are working toward integrating technology into all city operations to improve their communities. Around 500 counties and cities participated in the survey, providing information about a wide range of topics, from the current status of smart city initiatives and procurement patterns to the motivators and barriers to implementation.

Page 3: ICMA Examines Smart Technology Priorities, Motivators, and Barriers

International City/County Management Association Forty-nine percent of all respondents agree that smart city technologies were

a top priority in the public safety sector. More than half of respondents had already implemented smart payment and finance technologies in their community, and between 36 percent and 40 percent of respondents had already deployed initiatives in the areas of water and wastewater, customer service, telecommunications, and energy. Meanwhile, 69 percent of cities and countries reported that they would use a combination of external support and internal systems to implement smart technologies.

Beyond current deployment levels, the ICMA survey looked at the benefits of smart technologies that would motivate governments to implement or expand their initiatives. Economic development was the highest rated motivator, with 44 percent of respondents identifying it. Operational cost savings and resiliency for critical operations followed at 43 percent each, along with improved resident services at 38 percent and safety and security benefits at 37 percent. Budget limitations, limited internal capacity, and lack of supporting infrastructure were identified as important barriers.