Smart cities in Switzerland: a wide range of activities according to start-up themes
First conceived in the metropolises, there are also more and more smart cities in Switzerland. However, where do Swiss cities and municipalities stand on the way to becoming smart cities today? And which actors play which roles in this process? The stakeholder analysis "Smart City Switzerland" contributes to clarifying these questions.
The analysis on Smart Swiss Cities was commissioned by asut - Swiss Association of Telecommunications, the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (with the Smart City Switzerland program), the Swiss Association of Cities and the Smart City Hub. The study was prepared by AWK Group in collaboration with the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW).
From strategy to local implementation
By international standards, the smart city movement in Switzerland got off to a rather slow start. However, one-third of the cities and municipalities that participated in the study now have a smart city strategy. Another third is currently in the process of developing a strategy. A good third of the companies also have a smart city strategy, although only around another ten percent are planning one.
When asked in which areas products and services already exist, there are notable differences: The most widespread products and services are in the areas of "Smart Environment," "Smart Government" and "Smart Mobility"; a good 50 percent of the responding cities and municipalities have (pilot) projects in these areas. Products and services in the areas of smart economy, smart people and smart living are less widespread.
Almost two-thirds of the cities and municipalities state that they have a budget for smart city products or services or have planned one. This suggests that the number and range of smart city projects will continue to increase. In cities and municipalities, 80 percent of smart city projects are locally oriented. On the other hand, such products and services for companies.
Cities around the world are facing ever greater and more diverse challenges. The public sector hopes that digital technologies will help improve the quality of life for the population, conserve resources, simplify procedures and make processes more efficient.
Networking as a success factor (silo thinking a hindrance)
What are important success factors on the way to a smart city? It is clear from both the survey and the expert interviews that networking within and outside the city or municipality, suitable platforms for data exchange and a corresponding strategy, as well as political support, are particularly important. Furthermore, experience from Germany and abroad shows that the involvement of the population is crucial for the success of smart city activities.
The "silo thinking" within the administration and the tendency toward isolated solutions or missing interfaces were identified as hurdles that slow down the implementation of smart city projects.
The stakeholders and those interested in smart cities attach great importance to IT security. This is thus becoming a key competence in the further development of Smart City in Switzerland.
Strengthen cooperation under different auspices
The results of the stakeholder analysis "Smart City Switzerland" show the high importance of platforms and initiatives that promote exchange among stakeholders. A number of cities and municipalities also cultivate this exchange internationally. The clients also promote cooperation and networking among the stakeholders.
Innovative forms of collaboration between the various stakeholders should be sought, as should simple platforms for the exchange of experience. Sometimes a challenge lies in "coopetition," i.e., collaboration between partners who are also competitors.
The evaluations of the stakeholder analysis "Smart City Switzerland" as well as the summarizing report can be here be downloaded
