How can life in urban neighbourhoods be improved? To find approaches, the project SMARTER TOGETHER demonstrated smart and inclusive solutions in the pilot cities of Vienna, Munich, and Lyon. There were, in addition, the follower cities of Santiago de Compostela, Sofia, and Venice, which built on the findings and learnings of the pilot cities. Thus, the goal of the collaborative project SMARTER TOGETHER was the joint creation and replication of integrated solutions for smart cities – to achieve climate targets, foster positive social dynamics, and to improve the quality of citizens’ lives.  

The project implemented large-scale smart city solutions in neighbourhoods in Vienna, Munich, and Lyon, focusing on five defined areas: Civic engagement and knowledge management, renewable energy and heat management in urban neighbourhoods, holistic renovation concepts, smart data, and electromobility. The scope and replicability of the project were increased through the observer cities of Kiev and Yokohama. This incorporated specific perspectives of Eastern European and East Asian cities into a holistic view. 

Launched in February 2016, the project duration and evaluation of SMARTER TOGETHER took until 2021. It was funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and was connected to other European innovation partnerships on smart cities and communities. 

Civic engagement and knowledge management – insights from Vienna 

The participation of citizens was a central element of SMARTER TOGETHER: Residents of urban neighborhoods had the opportunity to contribute suggestions and ideas to the project and were also part of the conception and realisation of solutions. An important cornerstone of the smart urban regeneration initiative is comprehensive knowledge management with a focus on the learning city, in other words learning governance. The exchange between the 30 consortium partners was crucial for the project, consisting of cities, business partners, and research institutions with a new form of peer-to-peer learning. Knowledge management also served to further develop innovations and improve the attractiveness of locations. The enthusiasm and positive project dynamics of all SMARTER TOGETHER stakeholders confirm the high significance and great attractiveness of the initiative. 

(FG)