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Top Networked Cities
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Ericsson and Arthur D. Little present the Networked Society City
Index, ranking 25 cities according to ICT maturity and
development. By showing how top-performing cities successfully
use ICT to grow, Ericsson aims to inspire and contribute to a
global Networked Society City mayors, local authorities and
decision makers can use the framework ranking to meet the
growing urbanization trend and enable organizational and societal
success
The Networked Society City Index - established through a joint
study conducted by Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) and management
consultancy Arthur D. Little and presented on May 10 at Ericsson's
Business Innovation Forum in Silicon Valley in the US - shows that
cities with a high level of ICT maturity are better able to manage
issues such as environmental management, infrastructure, public
security, health-care quality and education.
Erik Almqvist, Director at Arthur D. Little Nordic, says:
"Building a Networked Society is one of our time's great
challenges for mankind. Although this analysis should be seen as
a humble starting point to explore the link between ICT
investments and sustainable development, it is our joint hope and
intention that this report can serve as inspiration for cities that do
not settle for the status quo."
The three best-performing cities presented in the index -
Singapore, Stockholm and Seoul - have successfully met many
social, economic and environmental targets by making extensive
investments in ICT. Singapore, for example, is aggressively
driving innovation in e-health, and is a pioneer in traffic-congestion
management. Stockholm sees ICT as a major enabler for
research collaboration and knowledge transfer, while Seoul is
using ICT to realize green high-tech initiatives. The index also
suggests actions for low-ranking cities, which are encouraged to
provide digital access and ICT training for the underprivileged
parts of their populations to reduce the digital divide.
Mathieu Lefevre, Executive Director of the New Cities Foundation,
says:
"The 'networked city' is here, and it will significantly impact the life
of a growing share of the world's population. Ericsson - as
demonstrated by this important new Networked Society City Index,
- has grasped the significance of this mega-trend, and is
positioned at the forefront of thinking on tomorrow's urban
connected planet." Today, more than 50 percent of the world's
population lives in urban areas. By 2030, that percentage is
expected to grow to about 60. The number of megacities (defined
as cities with 10 million inhabitants or more) is expected to rise to
more than 30 by 2030, representing an increase of about 40
percent. As the number of megacities rises, key decision makers
will be better able to ensure that this growth is sustainable if they
can learn from the successes of top-performing cities in the
Networked Society.
Erik Kruse, from the Networked Society lab at Ericsson, says:
"By providing examples of how ICT can promote a city's growth,
the index can be used to inspire dialog with decision makers to
use ICT to enable organizational and societal success - from
economic, environmental and social perspectives."
The top-10-ranking cities in the Networked Society City Index are:
Singapore, Stockholm, Seoul, London, Paris, New York, Tokyo,
Los Angeles, Shanghai and Beijing.
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