Authorizing City Council's Committee on Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy to hold public hearings on Philadelphia's movement towards a "smart city".

WHEREAS, A “smart city” uses digital technologies to enhance business performance, strengthen the access to resources in the City, improve the well-being of residents, and engage more effectively with its residents; and

WHEREAS, A “smart city” brings together technology, government, and society to enable a more efficient and impactful environment, mobility, economy, people, and governance; and

WHEREAS, A “smart city” responds faster to city and global challenges; and

WHEREAS, A movement towards a “smart city” is motivated by major issues pertinent to the City such as aging populations, economic restructuring, climate change, energy efficiency, and public transportation; and

WHEREAS, Numerous universities and telecommunication companies such as MIT, URENIO, CISCO, and IBM have conducted research studies, designed prototypes, and developed new initiatives regarding “smart cities”; and

WHEREAS, The “smart city” movement has already been initiated by a number of cities such as Chicago, Boston, Barcelona, and Stockholm; and

WHEREAS, A movement in Philadelphia to become a “smart city” will allow the City to become more internationally competitive and recognized; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby authorizes City Council's Committee on Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy to hold public hearings on Philadelphia's movement towards a “smart city.”

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