7 Best Practices of Highly Effective Smart Cities

The smart, flexible workplace

Technology, generational preference, and an embrace of change will define the office today and tomorrow.

BY HELEN REED AND ANGIE LEE

Almost a hundred years ago, the world of work was shifting radically as Americans became city dwellers, automobile owners, and office workers. Today, we’re amid anther dramatic upheaval in work. A new generation of workers who have grown up with digital technology—using computers online for their entire adult lives—are stepping into the working world, and a new set of expectations and preferences is emerging and reshaping the office. Technology is pushing innovation in the workplace. But its consequences are still emerging—making it worthwhile to periodically evaluate the trends shaping the new office.

Flexibility for a workplace that’s always evolving Designing a future-ready and flexible facility is more important than ever in this time of change. The office must be designed to be flexible so that it can change for daily and weekly needs with built-in adaptability over the long-term. Increasingly, we need to be aware that things change in unpredictable ways and the influence of technology, for example, doesn’t resolve as it first presents. For example, not long ago it seemed that desktops and monitors were going away, but now massive monitors are emerging as the preference. Despite the availability of small portable technology, big screens are in.

Culture and data-driven design There have been many articles published over the past couple of years on the pros and cons of open workspace. The only point of clarity from that raging debate is that open office isn’t for everyone. It’s important to understand what organizations do, how their employees like to work, and what makes them happy doing it. More than ever, observation and research of the workplace on site must inform our design innovations so that the workplace ultimately reflects the client’s culture and supports its business strategy. Design must strike a delicate balance between incorporating existing culture while embracing new ways of working. Furthermore, how we educate our clients to best use their spaces (otherwise known as change management) is critical in matching culture and new workplace.

The one constant in the workplace is

change

Branding Branding throughout the office, not just the entryway and lobby, is emerging as a key aspect of office design. That’s because the audience for branding can be both internal or external today. Every client has a past, present, and future, as well as heritage, culture and values. As design professionals they look to us to help create a space and brand that reflects their narrative best. In our tech-enabled era, experiencing the brand itself takes an increasingly important role in reflecting culture, mission and morale, giving people reasons to want to come into the office every day and to connect their individual work to a greater purpose.

Homelike and hospitality-inspired options The tech industry and its open, collaborative offices changed the way we look at offices. But it’s the emergence of the homelike and hospitality-inspired elements of workplace that are defining design today. A big part of this shift relates to offering a variety of options in seating and work style ranging from formal and informal collaborative to focused and heads-down and private meeting space.

Smart buildings, smart office The smart office and building. Smart spaces will connect to users through seamless tech and apps—everything from room reservations to audio-video conferencing, desk and room reservations, climate control and lighting, elevator access and security will be intelligent and personalized for the user. But smart building benefits go beyond the individual employee. On the owner and employer side, detailed data on building and room use allows for better decision making about investment and office design going forward. And that means continuous evolution and improvement in design and operation. And when design automation connects into smart building infrastructure, the possibilities for the future of workplace are unlimited. Now that makes for an interesting future.

BPX Energy Denver, Colorado

Smart buildings technology is here to stay. One of the most tangible benefits of smart technology is reduced energy use (or production) with sensor data informing operators and users about building efficiency and use. But smart buildings can do more. They can also foster connections with people in the workplace to provide a better user-experience. Picture this: You enter the building after parking your bike or car in a space reserved prior to arrival. The building senses your presence via an app on your smart device. At the elevator lobby, an elevator is waiting to take you to the location of your morning meeting. In the meeting room, the blinds are drawn, the room temperature is set to your preference, and the audio-visual and video conferencing set up is enabled and your clients in New York, London or Beijing are ready to greet you and start the meeting. After your meeting you return to an office or a workstation, whether it’s assigned or unassigned, and your personalized desk height, lighting and thermal comfort settings are pre-set. This technology-enabled exper-ience can also be programmed for clients and guests on their next visit. The office of the future. Seamless. Personalized. Smart.

Bulfinch Needham, Massachusetts

What’s next?

MORE WORKPLACE DESIGN Interior Designer Helen Reed, based in San Francisco, is passionate about applying influences from the digital realm to designing spaces that meet today’s corporate workplace needs. Chicago-based Angie Lee applies three decades of experience in leading teams on workplace strategy and headquarters design solutions to her role with the Stantec's Commercial Workplace Sector.

The 7 Best Practices of Highly Effective Smart Cities

Results from the field Through our lab partnerships, we can test for more than 60 species using eDNA technology and the species list is growing. Notable studies thus far include the Jefferson salamander, an endangered species in Ontario, and the Atlantic salmon, whose status is endangered in the US and Canada. In 2017, we tested 10 sites for the Jefferson salamander. 9 out of 10 test sites confirmed historical data of species presence or absence, based on visual surveys in early spring. However, eDNA testing at one site showed that Jefferson salamander was present when past visual surveys indicated that it was absent.

Similarly, we sampled five stream sites for Atlantic salmon in 2018 using eDNA. We didn’t detect Atlantic salmon in the streams; however, we did detect eDNA downstream from our positive field control—a single caged Atlantic salmon—confirming that the tools were working. Our work has shown that eDNA is delivering on its promise as a fast, cost-effective, sensitive tool for detecting the presence of rare, threatened, and endangered species at low densities in the environment. We have also used eDNA to track invasive species so our clients could plan ahead. Knowing Means Better Designs Knowing the environment, you are working in is essential at every stage of a project. In the early design phase, it is essential to get quick accurate results. The results affect the timeline for the design team. eDNA could be used for scouting out sites for offshore winds or looking at different locations for onshore power lines.

DNA CAN HELP US DETECT WHAT WILDLIFE IS PRESENT AND ADJUST OUR DESIGNS TO PROTECT THESE IMPORTANT SPECIES.

The smartest cities ensure all citizens are engaged and connected

Stantec has long believed that the smartest cities put people first. Now we have proof.

Reach out to stakeholders to demonstrate the value of smart projects

96% Leaders

40% Implementers

Leaders use a mix of internal and external staff on their smart initiatives. They rarely go it alone and never rely solely on consultants.

The smartest cities build internal capacity, but outsource when necessary

Smart Initiatives Staffing Mix

88% Internal and external staff

12% Internal staff only

0% External staff only

The world’s smartest cities deploy technology to securely interconnect key areas of their urban ecosystems: transportation, utilities, buildings, public spaces, and more.

The smartest cities take a holistic view of ROI

Many cities only consider economic ROI. But Leaders track a wide range of factors that make cities better places to live.

Implementers

40% Internal and external staff

28% Internal staff only

32% External staff only

Who are the world's smartest cities?

The Building a Hyperconnected City research initiative—conducted by ESI ThoughtLab and co-sponsored by Stantec—explores how 100 smart cities across the globe use data and technology to transform and interconnect each area of their urban ecosystem. The research findings include the Hyperconnected Cities Maturity Index, which ranks the 100 cities into three categories. In this infographic, we compare Leaders (i.e. the Smartest Cities) with Implementers to establish the best practices of highly effective smart cities.

Ensure city’s shareholders are actively engaged in smart city initiatives

80% Leaders

54% Implementers

Audit social groups in danger of exclusion as city services become digitized

68% Leaders

8% Implementers

1/3

2/3

3/3

1/2

2/2

This involves understanding and monitoring ROI, identifying funding sources, and planning for success.

The smartest cities develop and monitor the business case for smart technology

Partner with technology providers

1/2

Leaders avoid outsourcing technology programs. They build partnerships and maintain control of development and implementation efforts.

The smartest cities build technology partnerships

88%

Almost three-quarters of leading cities have an innovation hub to promote the use of advanced technologies. Here’s what they’re doing.

The smartest cities capitalize on advanced technologies, securely

How? By starting with effective policies, systems, and partnerships.

The smartest cities generate more value from data

Improved health and well-being

Reduced carbon/GHG emissions

Reduced crime

Increased tourism

Greater commerce

Economic

Partner with academic institutions

52% Implementers

64% Leaders

52% Leaders

40% Implementers

0% Leaders

28% Implementers

12% Leaders

40% Implementers

Outsource development

Outsource implementation to consultants

2/2

01 02 03 04 05 06 07

56%

48%

40%

36%

32%

16%

28%

20%

64%

AI Usage by Urban Area

Security 5G AI AR/VR

AR/VR

Security

Have or will be implementing 5G

80% Leaders

12% Implementers

Implementers

Leaders

92%

Consider cybersecurity early

40% Leaders

Buildings, schools, and public spaces

16% Leaders

24% Leaders

28% Leaders

Mobility and transportation

Public safety, health, and well being

Environment and sustainability

0% Implementers

Document the business case for all projects

1/4

36% Implementers

68% Leaders

32% Implementers

72% Leaders

Develop a detailed implementation plan

2/4

40% Implementers

60% Leaders

Develop a detailed funding plan

3/4

36% Implementers

56% Leaders

Monitor ROI to see if projects are performing as planned

4/4

40% Implementers

68% Leaders

Cities with a flexible data policy that keeps up with changing technologies

2/4

36% Implementers

72% Leaders

Cities with a written data policy to ensure proper use and development of data

1/4

28% Implementers

68% Leaders

Cities with a citywide data management system

3/4

48% Implementers

80% Leaders

Cities that work with outside entities to gather data

4/4

AR/VR Use now or in 3 Years

The 25 cities that are the most advanced at interconnecting their urban ecosystem and are seeing significant economic, business, and social benefits.

The 50 cities that are making progress towards interconnecting their urban ecosystem and are starting to see benefits.

The 25 cities in earlier stages of interconnecting their urban ecosystem.

Singapore Hong Kong New York Seoul London Melbourne Copenhagen Dublin Madrid Cambridge Sydney Chicago Boston Washington DC

Beijing Detroit Helsinki Paris Rome Toronto Berlin Barcelona Milan Ottawa Shenzhen

Increased renewable energy usage

Increased water quality

Higher productivity

Reduced congestion

Increased citizen engagement

Safer communities

Montreal Los Angeles Philadelphia Atlanta Munich Stockholm Tokyo Birmingham, UK Baltimore Vancouver Vienna Orlando Geneva Oslo

Tel Aviv Charlotte Houston Shanghai Zurich Brisbane New Delhi Istanbul Moscow Amsterdam Bristol Abu Dhabi Austin Brussels

Hyderabad Monterrey Amman Kiev Dhaka Ho Chi Minh Lima Jersey City Cairo Mexico City Chengdu

Bratislava Tampa Warsaw Johannesburg Sofia Cape Town Bangkok Buenos Aires Guangzhou Santiago Muscat Riyadh Bogota Bangalore

Explore the 7 Best Practices

The 25 most advanced cities

The 25 cities in earlier stages

The 25 most advanced cities

The 25 cities in earlier stages

The 25 most advanced cities

Types of ROI Tracked

Leaders

Implementers

Smartest Cities

The 25 cities in earlier stages

The 25 most advanced cities

The 25 cities in earlier stages

The 25 most advanced cities

The 25 cities in earlier stages

The 25 most advanced cities

Feel prepared for cyberattacks

72%

40%

Environment and sustainability

Public safety, health, and well being

Buildings, schools, and public spaces

Mobility and transportation

Water and waste management

Energy and electricity

The 25 cities in earlier stages

The 25 most advanced cities

Dallas Chongqing Calgary Minneapolis Nashville Dubai Edmonton Bucharest Louisville Doha Denver Miami Athens Kansas City

Download Building a Hyperconnected City

Leaders Advancers Implementers

Implementers

Advancers

Leaders

Columbus Saint Petersburg Reykjavik Prague Sao Paulo Bilbao Jakarta Tallinn