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 City”; 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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