include private companies, public decision makers, Speeding up implementation of urban projects requires close civil society actors (citizens, associations, NGOs), and, collaboration between key stakeholders. Building a culture of sometimes, startups, academic institutes, or venture capital initiative, innovation, and collaboration is also key. funds. The aim of smart city policies is to deliver a new social infrastructure. Indeed, the smart and sustainable city is multidimensional, and diverse visions of the city of the future have been In the first chapter of this report, we analyze the main formulated. A city’s implementation of any type of urban challenges involved in urban living—those of today as well policy or planning initiative requires a vision of that city’s as those of tomorrow. We demonstrate how new information, future to be developed. The involvement of the wide range communication, and energy technologies are creating of stakeholders that the local community comprises should opportunities for cities to save on resources. However, these contribute to the development of this vision. In an urbanized technologies are nothing more than tools that are conducive world, public and private interventions are essential for to implementing proactive urban policies aimed at reducing giving citizens the experience they need and want. Moreover, pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and social costs (for novel technologies and funds are required to innovate and example, high rates of poor health, disease, death, and deliver the city of the future. unemployment). Chapters 2 to 7 of this ebook cover the six smart cities The development of smart cities is progressing slowly, and selected for this study: Amsterdam, Barcelona, Copenhagen, several factors are critical to accelerating momentum. Singapore, Toronto, and Vienna. A geographical overview In addition to looking at four European cities, we examine through awards and rankings, as innovative cities that are two very interesting cities that are located further afield. All developing solutions for coping with the consequences of the cities that we look at in this ebook have been recognized, climate change. 10 Quélin and Smadja | HEC PARIS | SMART CITIES | The sustainable program of six leading cities | 2021