Dozens of American cities selected as finalists in smart city competition

The finalists in the inaugural Smart Cities North American Awards (SCNAA) were announced Friday by the International Data Corporation, a Chinese-owned, Massachusetts-based market research firm and subsidiary of International Data Group, a global media technology company.  

The awards recognize those North American communities that have been most successful in completing “smart cities” projects, which leverage technology to improve urban operations and better serve city residents by encouraging innovation and the sustainable development of infrastructure, social services, and local government. 

Twenty-six contenders out of 70 submissions from 16 states were chosen as finalists for the awards, which are organized by category. According to the IDC, finalists in the SCNAA illustrate best practice examples of urban innovation with a particular focus on the use of technology (cloud, platforms, analytics, IoT, mobile solutions) and data, unique partnerships, funding models and community involvement.

This year’s finalists by category are:

Connected & Autonomous Vehicles, Public Transit, Ride-Hailing, Ride-Sharing:

•  Ann Arbor, Michigan
•  Las Vegas
•  Arlington, Texas

Transportation Infrastructure 

• Boston
• Kansas City, Missouri
• Detroit

Smart Buildings 

• Miami – Dade County, Florida
• Dallas

Sustainable Infrastructure 

• Chicago
• Spokane, Washington
• The State of Illinois
• San Diego

Smart Water

• Miami – Dade County
• Virginia Beach, Virginia
• Lafayette, Louisiana
• Kansas City, Missouri

Civic Engagement 

• Los Angeles
• Chicago
• Kansas City, Missouri
• San Jose, California

Administration 

• Arlington, Texas
• Washington, D.C.

Emergency Management 

• El Paso, Texas
• Arlington, Texas

Education

• Boston
• Abilene Christian University, Abilene, Texas
• State of Arkansas

Urban Planning and Land Use

• Austin
• Miami – Dade County
• Los Angeles

Public Health and Social Services

• Boston
• Lafayette, Louisiana
• Dallas

Digital Equity and Accessibility 

• New York
• Tukwila, Washington
• State of Arkansas

Tours, Arts, Libraries, Culture, Open Spaces

• Little Rock, Arkansas
• Lafayette, Louisiana
• Las Vegas

Police and Law Enforcement 

• El Paso, Texas
• Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• Charlotte, North Carolina

“We are thrilled to recognize innovative projects across North America that demonstrate true progress in building Smart Cities,” said Ruthbea Yesner, the global lead for IDC Government Insights. 

To determine the winners of the SCNAA, the public is encouraged to vote online. Voting is open through the end of March. 

The winners will be announced on April 9, and the winners will receive their rewards during the Smart Cities Global Conference in New York City on May 5.