Smart City Development Examined By National League Of Cities

The National League of Cities (NLC) has released “Trends in Smart City Development,” a new report featuring case studies about how five cities — Philadelphia, San Francisco, Chicago, Charlotte, NC, and New Delhi, India — are implementing smart city projects from different approaches. The report also provides recommendations to help local governments consider and plan these projects

Read More
China To Support Blockchain Development Under New Five-Year Plan

China, a country that already plays a critical role in cryptocurrency due its dominance in bitcoin trading and mining, will support blockchain development as part of its recently-announced five-year plan, according to the state council website. The 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020) period has had a strong start and is poised to fulfill all key targets set by the central government for economic development.

Read More
10 giant steps for the Internet of Things in 2016

It’s that time of year again. The “10 technology trends” and “5 ways the Internet of Things (IoT) will change your business next year” prognostications are coming out. I always read these and enjoy the critical thinking behind the authors’ lists. And every year I think about looking back at last year’s lists to see how well the forecasters did, but there isn’t much value in “I told you so” whether you are saying it or hearing it so I let that urge pass

Read More
A Tale of Two Political Systems

All human societies develop in linear progression, beginning with primitive society, then slave society, feudalism, capitalism, socialism, and finally, guess where we end up? Communism! Sooner or later, all of humanity, regardless of culture, language, nationality, will arrive at this final stage of political and social development. The entire world's peoples will be unified in this paradise on Earth and live happily ever after. But before we get there, we're engaged in a struggle between good and evil, the good of socialism against the evil of capitalism,and the good shall triumph. 

Read More
Chelsea McCulloughChina, policy
Pittsburgh's smart city efforts include autonomous driving, open data, and renewable energy

Pittsburgh has partnered with Uber on its self-driving pilot and it's working on smart traffic lights thanks to $10.9 million in funding from the US Department of Transportation (DoT) as part of the DoT's $165 million latest funding round for smart city projects. Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto has high hopes that a full conversion to a smart city will happen sooner rather than later, and he's taking steps to make that happen, despite joking that self-driving cars could be what keeps him from getting re-elected.

Read More
When smart cities meet heritage preservation

As part of its smart city programme, China has created 400 smart cities and 20 “national smart city pilots”. The Chinese government reports on the status of the programme in annual white papers, however, these have shown that progress has slowed due to the absence of an overarching planning process and multiple, inconsistent standards.

Read More
Gunshot detection technology as part of smart city design

When a gunshot is fired in an urban area, it's often difficult for responding police officers to determine exactly where it was located and how dangerous the situation might be. But surveillance technology from ShotSpotter allows cities to triangulate gunfire within 10 feet of where it happened and determine how many shooters there are before the police arrive on the scene.

Read More