{"id":112669,"date":"2017-11-08T10:03:55","date_gmt":"2017-11-08T15:03:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ict-pulse.com\/?p=112669"},"modified":"2017-11-08T10:04:57","modified_gmt":"2017-11-08T15:04:57","slug":"5-critical-steps-build-smart-cities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/2017\/11\/5-critical-steps-build-smart-cities\/","title":{"rendered":"5 critical steps to build smart cities"},"content":{"rendered":"

Although all Caribbean countries might want to develop a smart city, many do not yet seem to know how. \u00a0He we outline five critical step that should be implemented.<\/em><\/p>\n

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From the Bahamas to Guyana, and many countries in between, there has been some talk by policymakers about those countries becoming \u2018smart cities\u2019. The concept was again raised last week in Barbados when the former Prime Minister, Owen Arthur, speaking on the topic, Smart can be Small, proposed a local community (the Warrens to UWI corridor) could be developed as the island\u2019s first smart community, and so lead the smart transformation envisaged (Source:\u00a0 Nation News<\/a>).<\/p>\n

However, while concepts such as smart cities, smart communities, smart towns and smart countries, are being bandied around in the Caribbean as popular catchphrases, very little has been said on how they are to be realised. Below, we outline five important building blocks that can help a country develop a smart city.<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0 Clearly define smart<\/h3>\n

First, it must be emphasised that there is no universal definition of what it entails to be a smart city (community, town, etc.), the elements it must include, or any specific outcomes that must be realised. It therefore means that each country has the opportunity to decide what \u2018smart\u2019 means to them.<\/p>\n

In the first instance, a clear and overarching vision is recommended, but eventually, specifics are needed. For each industry, sector and area of the economy, it is crucial to describe what would constitute \u2018smart\u2019. The more details provided, the better, as the goal is clarity of vision. Further, if SMART (S<\/strong>pecific, M<\/strong>easurable, A<\/strong>chievable, R<\/strong>ealistic and T<\/strong>ime-bound) targets could also established, they can help all stakeholders to focus and to determine how best to apply their efforts to meet the stated goals.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0 Determine current situation<\/h3>\n

Understanding a country\u2019s (a town\u2019s, or city\u2019s) current situation is a critical first step towards it becoming smarter. Essentially, a thorough situation review is needed to understand, among other things,<\/p>\n