Coquitlam is a "Smart21 Community" once again — and was on the only B.C. municipality to be named as such for 2023.
The Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) announced the recognition a recent virtual conference co-hosted with the Economic Developers Association of Canada and Economic Development Australia.
This was Coquitlam's second ICF recognition in three years, earning the achievement in 2021, and was one of six Canadian communities to reach Smart21's 2023 status.
Communities are chosen based on quantitative and qualitative data in six key areas:
- Connect, sustain, include, engage, innovate and work
According to the ICF, Smart21 communities "demonstrate innovation in using technology and data to create safe public spaces and improve how their citizens move around, live and play, work and learn, participate in society, and interact with nature."
"Coquitlam's efforts to be a 'smart' community focus on technology solutions that increase community awareness of city programs and services, improve resident experiences, transform outdated processes and foster civic engagement," said Coquitlam spokesperson Danny Bandiera in a news release.
"....the City of Coquitlam uses technology to enhance community life and city services across a wide spectrum of operations ranging from a variety of online services to free Wi-Fi access in City parks and facilities."
Initiatives highlighted in Coquitlam’s Smart21 submission included:
- QNet = a way of enabling high speed, low cost broadband coverage in high-density housing and commercial operations
- Digital Strategy = fosters innovation and collaboration, while guiding how the city chooses and uses technology to improve business functions
- Community Engagement Framework = a Let’s Talk Coquitlam engagement portal that looks to the principles of inclusion and accessibility to facilitate community engagement on local issues, plans and services
- Climate Action and Environmental Sustainability initiatives = committing to reducing greenhouse gases and adapting to climate change to maintain sustainable service delivery to the community
- Project Greenlight = partnering on innovative technology-based solutions to local environmental challenges and accelerate tech-based approaches to service delivery
For more information on Coquitlam's technological initiatives for the community, you're encouraged to visit the city's website.
