Smart Cities and Communities Federal Strategic Plan: Exploring Innovation TogetherThis strategic plan offers a high-level framework to guide and coordinate smart city/community-related Federal initiatives, with an emphasis on local government and stakeholder engagement. Coordinating efforts across Federal agencies should help accelerate the development of smart city/community solutions that maximize the value of investments and optimize benefits to residents. The Central Goals that motivate this strategy are to: * Understand local needs and local goals; * Accelerate smart city/community innovation and infrastructure improvement; * Facilitate cross-sector collaboration and bridge existing silos; * Boost exports and promote U.S. global leadership; and * Focus on people-centered solutions that support job growth and economic competitiveness. A key objective of this plan is to identify priorities for Federally funded research and development (R&D) as well as capacity-building to help transform our cities and communities and improve our standards of living...The Smart Cities and Communities Task Force developed this report. The Task Force reports to the Subcommittee on Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD). This draft report is being released for public comment and will be revised in response to those comments... This plan envisions Federal agencies working together and engaging with local leaders, academia, industry, civil society, and other key stakeholders. The aim is to accelerate the development and implementation of new discoveries and innovations that in turn enable cities and communities to achieve local goals and address their most important challenges. Therefore, the Next Steps recommended in this strategic plan include, through the Smart Cities and Communities Task Force, promoting interagency coordination and collaboration; engaging cities/communities to collect feedback on and enable continued refinement of this strategic plan and future efforts; and developing a roadmap for specific Federal actions to execute the Strategic Priorities presented here.Smart Cities and Communities Task ForceSCCTF_0316a3ee-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe8The Smart Cities and Communities Task Force is a body under the NITRD Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) Interagency Working Group (IWG). The CPS IWG's purpose is to coordinate programs, budgets, and policy recommendations for CPS R&D across the Federal government. This includes identifying and integrating requirements, facilitating joint program planning, and developing joint strategies for the CPS R&D programs conducted by agency members of the NITRD Subcommittee and CPS IWG. Specifically, the Smart Cities and Communities Task Force was chartered to coordinate Federal action and partnerships with academia, industry, local cities and communities, and other government entities to enable cities/communities of all types in accessing networking and information technologies and services. This access is intended to support cities/communities in developing smart solutions that enhance sustainability and quality of life, improve health and safety, and further economic prosperity.CitiesCommunitiesLocal LeadersAcademiaIndustryCivil SocietyNetworking and Information Technology Research and Development SubcommitteeNITRD is a body under the Committee on Technology (CoT) of the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC). The NITRD Subcommittee coordinates multiagency research and development (R&D) programs to help assure continued U.S. leadership in networking and information technology, satisfy the needs of the Federal Government for advanced networking and information technology, and accelerate development and deployment of advanced networking and information technology. It also implements relevant provisions of the High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 (P.L. 102-194), as amended by the Next Generation Internet Research Act of 1998 (P.L. 105-305), and the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education and Science (COMPETES) Act of 2007 (P.L. 110-69). For more information, see www.nitrd.gov.National Science and Technology CouncilSmart Cities and Communities Task Force Members Ken CalvertCo-Chair, NSFChris GreerCo-Chair, NISTKen LeonardCo-Chair, DOTDepartment of Commerce (DOC)National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)Department of Defense (DOD)Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)Department of Energy (DOE)Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE)Office of Science (SC)Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)National Institutes of Health (NIH)Department of Homeland Security (DHS)Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)National Science Foundation (NSF)Office of Management and Budget (OMB)Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP)National Coordination Office for Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD/NCO) Department of Agriculture (USDA)Department of Commerce (DOC)Census BureauInternational Trade Administration (ITA)National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)Department of Energy (DOE)Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)Office of Community Planning and DevelopmentDepartment of StateDepartment of Transportation (DOT)Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Cities and communities achieve their goals_0316aa1a-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe8To accelerate the development and implementation of new discoveries and innovations that in turn enable cities and communities to achieve local goals and address their most important challenges_0316ad30-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe8TransformationRecent advances in information and communications technologies (ICT) hold the potential for transformational change for cities and communities across the Nation and globally.EfficiencyBy utilizing these technologies to improve existing infrastructure and enable new systems and services, cities and communities aim to improve efficiency and reduce costs, create new economic opportunities, enhance sustainability, improve quality of life, and meet other needs for their residents and businesses.Economic OpportunitySustainabilityQuality of LifeCooperationMany have called for close cooperation and collaboration between Federal agencies, state and local governments, smart city/community stakeholders, and international partners in promoting progress toward such smart city and community goals. This Smart Cities and Communities Strategic Plan sets out Central Goals, Strategic Priorities, and Next Steps for the Federal government in fulfill its role in the transition to next-generation cities and communities ...CollaborationInfrastructureCities and communities across the Nation are today facing complex and persistent challenges stemming from changing populations and aging infrastructure. In particular, demands on city/community infrastructure, systems, and services are growing and changing, prompting important new needs, such as more effective use of limited space, greater walkability, and ways to support residents across all socioeconomic statuses.SystemsServicesResilienceIn addition, the need for improved resilience in the face of natural and man-made disasters adds to the challenges that cities and communities are facing. These challenges directly manifest for city/community residents as well.InnovationBeing able to address these challenges is in and of itself difficult. Ongoing city/community operations are often dependent upon the very infrastructure, services, and systems that could benefit from innovation -- and finding the time, energy, and resources to improve city/community capabilities without adversely affecting these ongoing operations is not trivial. Consider, for example, routine roadway construction projects; cities and communities must often conduct these projects during limited nighttime and weekend hours, so as to minimize disruptions for residents who rely upon the roadways to commute to and from work.IntegrationAt the same time, advances in networking and information technology over the last several decades have transformed individuals' lives, rapidly altering how we live, work, and communicate. Integrating these digital technologies with physical infrastructure at the city/community level similarly enables innovative opportunities and solutions to the challenges cities/communities are facing. By working closely with cities/communities to support this integration in ways described in this strategic plan, Federal agencies can help facilitate solutions to city/community challenges and catalyze the smart cities and smart communities of the future.LocalizationSmart city/community projects are inherently undertaken at the local and state levels.Strategic AlignmentTo be an effective partner in these efforts, Federal efforts must therefore be well aligned with state and local needs. Considering the types of challenges facing cities/communities described in Section 1.1 above, as well as a range of ongoing smart city/community activities, the Smart Cities and Communities Task Force identified a set of five high-level challenge areas to inform this Federal strategy...SmartnessLike cities and communities today, no two smart cities/communities are exactly the same. Local cities/communities with varying needs and resources are embracing the smart city/community concept, but are pursuing goals that reflect different circumstances, needs, and aspirations. This lack of uniformity makes it difficult to agree on what makes a city or community "smart."VisionHowever, there is a consistent vision across cities and communities -- rural, urban, and tribal alike -- that the leadership challenge lies with the local government to engage residents in identifying city/community goals, setting priorities, evaluating technical options, and managing implementation, operations, and assessment.EngagementResearchFundamental research provides a foundation for subsequent applied research as well as activities that support transition of research innovations into city/community settings, including at-scale testing. InteroperabilityIn terms of interoperability, data are often produced in multiple formats that lack standard measures, definitions, and taxonomies, thus creating substantial barriers to rapid and effective data integration and fusing for analytics. In some cases, for example, in the private sector, customized and proprietary data systems are incompatible with one another.StandardsFederal agencies working together with academic and industry partners can facilitate the development and dissemination of best practices, guidelines, and standards for interoperability.Best PracticesFor example, Federal agencies may promote best practices by sharing their data from smart city/community applications in standards-based, well-documented, interoperable forms.PartnershipIn addition, they may encourage public-private partnerships to help make data more interoperable and promote data sharing across sectors, technology platforms, and application areas. To advance this work, appropriate economic incentives and collaboration models that encourage sharing of interoperable data are needed. These models should take privacy and security issues into consideration.Data CentricityUltimately, data-centric services, capabilities and resources are central to smart city/community solutions.SecurityFederal support for the development of secure, privacy-preserving data sharing and interoperability may accelerate the activities described in Sections 2.1 and 2.2 above.PrivacyTrainingTheir design and implementation also requires workforce development and training opportunities as detailed in Section 2.4.3.Needs & GoalsUnderstand Local Needs and Local Goals._0316af56-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe81Federal smart city/community activities need to be informed by cities and communities and reflect the diverse challenges faced by cities/communities of all types (e.g., rural, suburban, urban, small and large). The focus should be on long-term sustainability of solutions, with consideration of privacy and security as well as social, behavioral, and economic factors in each city/community. Current smart cities/communities initiatives are fueled by recent advances in information and communications technologies (ICT) combined with the declining price of such technologies. However, cities/communities are challenged to meet not only today's needs, but also those of tomorrow with changing populations, new economic pressures, and increased expectations of residents and businesses for continuing improvements in infrastructures, systems, and services. Meeting tomorrow’s needs will require continuing advances in ICT and their adoption in the smart city/community marketplace. The second goal recognizes the important role of Federal agencies in promoting R&D and transition to practice of innovative new smart city/community technologies._0316b3b6-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe8Innovation & InfrastructureAccelerate Smart Cities/Communities Innovation and Infrastructure Improvement._0316b6a4-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe82Smart city/community innovation may be enabled by accelerating the entire pipeline, from fundamental R&D to testbeds for transitioning research to practice, as well as capacity-building to improve existing and new infrastructure, systems, and services. Design considerations include promoting interoperability and integration across sectors, and enabling improved security and privacy. The goals of smart city/community projects typically focus on social (e.g., quality of life) or economic benefits and may not necessarily correspond to technological, geographical, organizational, or disciplinary boundaries. For example, making a city/community more livable and workable crosses sectors from transportation to health care and public safety; requires cooperation between the public and private sectors; involves technologies from distributed sensor networks to real-time data analytics and control and automation; draws from disciplines spanning engineering, computer and information science, the social, behavioral, and economic sciences, and beyond; and in many cases requires transitioning research to practice through testing at scale. Similarly, resilience to large-scale disasters or progress in broad transportation, energy, or other large-scale infrastructure projects may not be achieved by a city/community working alone, but may require a regional effort that brings together a diversity of authorities, entities, and interests._0316b8ca-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe8Collaboration & SilosFacilitate Cross-Sector Collaboration and Bridge Existing Silos._0316bd52-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe83GovernmentAcademeIndustryNon-Profit OrganizationsCitiesCommunitiesStatesNationsThe challenge for cities and communities here lies in bridging these divisions and silos. Thus, the third goal focuses on interagency coordination and use of the convening power of Federal agencies to enhance cooperation and facilitate new partnerships across agencies, sectors, and stakeholders. Figure 2 provides examples of Federal programs that bridge sectors and technology readiness levels, and Section 3 describes a convening role for the Federal government in bringing together representatives from cities and communities along with innovators from academia and industry to develop replicable solutions that are portable across cities/communities, interoperable across technologies and sectors, extensible, and cost-effective... Increasing efficiency and maximizing resources calls for collaboration across domains (e.g., integrating innovations at the nexus of food, energy, and water systems), organizational sectors (e.g., public-private partnerships that bring together government, academe, industry, and non-profit organizations), and geographic boundaries (e.g., cities/communities, states, and nations). _0316c036-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe8Exports & LeadershipBoost Exports and Promote U.S. Global Leadership._0316c270-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe84Smart cities and communities benefit from a robust technology marketplace that provides for healthy competition and economies of scale that help keep prices low, and offers a range of choices and options enabled by interoperability and replicability domestically and globally. The challenge for cities and communities is that individually they may have only limited influence on the marketplace. Recent reports have noted that nations around the world are racing to transform their cities and communities and reap the economic and social benefits that smart cities/communities promise, including skilled jobs creation, new products and services, and global trade and investment opportunities. The fourth goal, therefore, recognizes an important Federal role and interest in the global smart city/community technology marketplace... The Federal government may foster industry-driven standards, sharing of best practices domestically and internationally, and interoperable and replicable solutions to increase global trade, investments, and export opportunities, and global leadership for smart cities/communities._0316c6ee-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe8Job & CompetitivenessFocus on People-Centered Solutions that Support Job Growth and Economic Competitiveness._0316ca7c-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe85To be successful, a smart city/community project must provide tangible benefits to residents. Moreover, for a given smart citiy/community innovation to be sustainable, the city/community needs to attract and retain talented individuals and provide education and training to help residents understand how to utilize and build on the technological innovations and new jobs and business opportunities that are being created. The challenges of ensuring that smart city/community efforts create measurable benefits for residents and provide for appropriate education and training are best met by a broad, cooperative effort. The fifth goal recognizes the Federal government can play an important role in facilitating progress on these design, measurement, and workforce (including education and training) challenges... Smart city and community projects should improve quality of life for all residents, advance education and workforce development initiatives that build the capacity for equal opportunity, and enable inclusive and sustainable smart cities and communities of the future. _0316ccca-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe8Strategic PrioritiesProvide a vision and structure for agency activities._0316d170-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe86The following Strategic Priorities provide a vision and structure for agency activities in the future; the case studies presented provide current and past examples for illustration. Future agency activities may contribute to a single priority or multiple priorities. For greatest success, Federal agencies' activities, in sum, should address all Strategic Priorities outlined below.R&DAccelerate fundamental R&D for smart cities/communities_0316d472-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe86.1 Accelerate Fundamental R&D for Smart Cities/Communities Fundamental scientific and engineering research in the fields of computing, engineering, social sciences, ethics, education, and policy over the last several decades has enabled today's smart city/community innovations. Investments by Federal agencies should transcend science and engineering disciplines, cross a broad range of application areas, and be conducted in close engagement with cities/communities. Foundational KnowledgeProvide the foundation of knowledge for smart city/community solutions._0316d6ca-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe86.1.1The following list exemplifies some research areas that provide the foundation of knowledge for smart city/community solutions (note that this list is not intended to be exhaustive) ... Data & AnalyticsCreate next-generation capabilities leveraging big data techniques and technologies, real-time analytics, decision-making, adaptation, and automation of systems and infrastructure to address local needs_0316db8e-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe86.1.1.1Cybersecurity & PrivacyInvestigate cybersecurity and privacy scientific and engineering foundations and risk management strategies in order to achieve secure, privacy-sensitive, and resilient smart systems and infrastructure_0316de90-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe86.1.1.2Broadband, Wireless & IoTBolster the Nation's broadband and wireless network ecosystem and opportunities by exploring new wireless devices, communication techniques, networks, systems, and services to enhance high-speed, software-defined connectivity and leverage the emerging Internet of Things (IoT)_0316e0fc-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe86.1.1.3RolesUnderstand and integrate the role of humans in smart systems, including social, behavioral, economic, cultural, legal, and ethical drivers, incentives, and intended and unintended consequences_0316e516-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe86.1.1.4STEMAdvance the theories of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, including computing (STEM) learning and education that are enabled by technology innovations and simultaneously enable future technology advances to achieve sustainable solutions for local challenges_0316e7d2-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe86.1.1.5ModelsDevelop real-time models of human behavior, disease occurrence and transmission, and disasters to optimize healthcare and first-responder resources in dynamic situations._0316e9e4-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe86.1.1.6Healthcare ProvidersFirst-RespondersEngagement & IterationFacilitate city/community engagement in an iterative research cycle_0316ee12-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe86.1.2Collaboration with city/community stakeholders represents a key element in advancing smart city/community innovation and implementation. Research should include close engagement, well-developed partnerships, and iteration with city/community stakeholders -- citizens, entrepreneurs, civic leaders, and policy makers -- in ways that accelerate innovation, increase value of investments, and facilitate adoption of smart solutions. This engagement includes working closely with cities and communities to unearth the challenges that they are facing; to inspire research questions based on these challenges; and to take the innovations that result from the associated research advances and pilot them in the very same cities and communities to evaluate the solutions, and continue the iterative cycle of innovation.Transition to PracticeSupport research transition to practice in cities/communities_0316f18c-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe86.1.3The transition of research innovations to practice is critical to ensure that smart city/community innovations benefit cities/communities and their residents, and yield the greatest return on investment for the Federal government. The chasm between fundamental science and engineering research and full production is often referred to as the "Valley of Death."ShepherdingWork with industry, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders to shepherd innovations using transition-to-practice programs to move research to adoption and fully realize their value._0316f3b2-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe86.1.3.1IndustryNon-Governmental OrganizationsTo bridge this divide, the Federal government should work synergistically with industry, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders to shepherd innovations using transition-to-practice programs to move research to adoption and fully realize their value.Testing & EvaluationFoster at-scale research platforms to test and evaluate innovations while mitigating risk_0316f808-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe86.1.3.1.1Platforms for Advanced Wireless Research (PAWR)NSF Advanced Wireless Research Testbed Programs -- Beginning in FY 2017, NSF, together with a consortium of industry partners, plans to fund development of a set of Platforms for Advanced Wireless Research (PAWR). This NSF-led public-private partnership aims to advance the development of next-generation wireless technologies and services. In partnership with over 20 companies and industry associations, NSF will invest $50 million over 7 years, combined with an additional $50 million committed by industry, to design, develop, deploy, and operate four city-scale wireless research platforms. Each platform will deploy an infrastructure focused on one or more aspects of wireless services (e.g., dynamic spectrum access, mobility at scale, measurement), allowing academic researchers, entrepreneurs, and wireless companies to test, prove, and refine advanced technologies and algorithms in real-world settings. The innovations that result from PAWR may have the potential to impact future generations of wireless networks and communication.NSFInstitute for Telecommunications SciencesNTIA Institute for Telecommunications Sciences Research Testbed -- NTIA Institute for Telecommunications Sciences (ITS) is developing a spectrum testbed in collaboration with the University of Colorado-Boulder to span the Federal research laboratory and university campus.NTIAUniversity of Colorado-BoulderThe testbed will facilitate research to explore campus-scale wireless networking, spectrum sharing, and mobile applications, and enable collaborations between NTIA, the University of Colorado-Boulder, and the City of Boulder.City of BoulderTo do so, the Federal government should foster at-scale research platforms to test and evaluate innovations while mitigating risk -- especially early in the business cycle.CommercializationSupport commercialization programs_0316face-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe86.1.3.1.2I-CorpsMoreover, commercialization programs like the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Innovation Corps™ (I-Corps™) programs should continue to receive support from multiple Federal agencies. Such programs provide a mechanism for the Federal government to foster strong, high-value partnerships with industry and create workforce training and recruiting opportunities, particularly with innovation and entrepreneurship as a focus. ProgramsAccelerate local solutions using community-centric programs_0316fd08-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe86.1.4CommunitiesDOTDOT Smart City Challenge -- DOT issued the Smart City Challenge to encourage cities to propose holistic approaches to improving surface transportation performance within a city and integrate transportation with other smart city application areas such as public safety, public services, and energy. Seventy-eight cities/communities responded with their vision for using emerging data, technologies, and applications to address daunting transportation challenges and demonstrate how their smart city/community will reduce congestion, keep travelers safe, protect the environment, connect underserved communities, and support economic vitality. Their responses blended 12 vision elements that addressed technologies, people, and data. Smart technologies such as connected and automated vehicles and sensor-based infrastructure connected citizens to opportunities and focused on mobility services and choices. The DOT's $40 million challenge generated public and private partners, leveraging an additional $500 million in resources to support the seven finalist cities.Better Community Alliance (BCA)DOE Better Communities Alliance The Better Community Alliance (BCA) is a new DOE-led network of 70 cities, counties, nonprofits, philanthropies, and companies with the goal of creating cleaner, smarter, and more prosperous communities for all Americans. Through the BCA, which is part of the Better Buildings Initiative, DOE is creating a one-stop shop for cities and counties to plug into DOE resources to support them in tackling energy and environmental challenges.DOEAs part of the BCA, DOE will gather key stakeholders to promote knowledge exchange and collaboration, while streamlining access to community-focused DOE resources and funding through coordinated assistance across programs and a common digital portal.CitiesCountiesNonprofitsPhilanthropiesCompaniesFederal GovernmentThe Federal government has a role in shaping pilot projects, challenges/prize competitions, and other programs in cities and communities to leverage new technology to address local priorities. Such programs can broaden the impacts of innovations, and help integrate technologies across application areas relevant to the cities and communities.Infrastructure, Systems & ServicesFacilitate Secure and Resilient Infrastructure, Systems, and Services for Smart Cities/Communities_0317019a-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe86.2As connectivity and interdependencies of smart city/community solutions increase, cities/communities should manage risk by increasing the security, resiliency, and extensibility of critical infrastructure, systems, and services for long-term value. These efforts are important to reduce the cost of hazards and malfunctions, in terms of lives, livelihood, and quality of life.Existing AssetsEnable cities/communities to assess, leverage, and enhance existing infrastructure, systems, and services_03170474-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe86.2.1CitiesCities and communities have already invested substantially in their current infrastructure. It is therefore important for cities and communities to find ways to leverage existing infrastructure, systems, and services to increase efficiency, security, reliability, and resiliency.CommunitiesCity of BostonFor example, the City of Boston has been able to leverage data from its 630,000 residents using the Waze application to rethink its traffic planning, with the goal of producing time and fuel savings, without adding new infrastructure or changing the behavior of its residents.Vanderbilt UniversitySimilarly, researchers at Vanderbilt University are partnering with the Nashville Metro Police Department and Nashville Fire Department to develop tools to improve upon existing emergency response infrastructure and services. Nashville Metro Police DepartmentNashville Fire DepartmentNSFWith funding from NSF, the team is developing a Smart City Emergency Response Hub, a next-generation system that anticipates incidents and allocates resources efficiently, securely, and reliably. It is leveraging current infrastructure and services together with innovations in sensing, wireless communication, predictive analytics, and human decision-making and behavior.New AssetsSupport cities/communities in designing new secure and resilient infrastructure, systems, and services_031706ae-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe86.2.2Science and Technology DirectorateThe DHS Science and Technology Directorate’s Cyber Physical Systems Security program is working to addresses such CPS and IoT concerns. Proactive and coordinated efforts are needed to strengthen security and reliability for CPS and IoT more broadly.DHSPacific Northwest National LaboratoryDOE Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Wide Area Resiliency & Recovery Program Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), led by DOE, Wide Area Recovery & Resiliency Program (WARRP) created a framework for urban areas, critical infrastructures, and military installations to enhance wide-area recovery efforts in response to chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) events, to enable a timely return of basic services and social and economic order.DOEState of ColoradoPNNL's efforts included work with DHS, the State of Colorado, and the City of Denver to explore and develop an all-hazards regional recovery framework to enable critical recovery decisions at a regional level, and provide context to local jurisdictions to develop their own operational recovery plans.City of DenverFEMAAdditionally, with FEMA, an urban area recovery planning aid was developed as a guide to inform the development of recovery plans and strategies in response to CBRN events. CDCIn addition to DOE, DHS, and FEMA, CDC, EPA, HHS, and DOD were also were involved in the work, along with local and state authorities; the resources have been made available to other cities as well.EPAHHSDODLocal AuthoritiesState AuthoritiesIn designing and building new infrastructure, systems, and services, security and resiliency should be key considerations. For example, cyber-physical systems (CPS) and IoT10 are playing increasingly important roles in cities/communities, from remote healthcare to transportation to the electric grid. At the same time, CPS and IoT are increasing cybersecurity risks through the introduction of new attack surfaces. These new vulnerabilities yield the need to build security and resiliency into new infrastructure and systems. Whether referencing the forward collision prevention capability of a car, a telehealth system's ability to adapt to circumstances in real-time, or the latest IoT innovation, these systems are a source of competitive advantage in today's innovation economy and provide vast opportunities for smart and connected cities/communities. However, the consequences of unintentional faults or malicious attacks in CPS and/or IoT could have severe impact on human lives and the environment, in urban and rural areas alike.Smartness & CapacityFoster smart infrastructure, systems, and services with long-term capacity_03170b2c-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe86.2.3CitiesCities and communities often face tight budgets that can severely constrain future decisions on infrastructure. By making strategic forward-looking decisions now, cities and communities can be better prepared for future growth and changes in technology.CommunitiesFederal GovernmentThe Federal government can help cities and communities determine ways to build for future capacity and to collaborate across sectors to create more resilient, interoperable systems that provide key services in a cost-effective manner.DOEDOE's Smart Grid program is developing innovative technologies, tools, and techniques to move to a modern electric grid distribution delivery system. Smart Grid efforts are pursuing strategic investments to improve reliability, operational efficiency, resiliency, and faster outage recovery to meet the ever-changing capabilities necessary to meet our Nation's evolving electricity needs. These needs include accommodating the increasing customer-owned distributed power generation (such as solar photovoltaics); supporting the shift towards the electrification of transportation/electric vehicles; enabling greater customer choice and control over electricity consumption; being more resilient to extreme weather conditions; reducing the duration and number of outages; and, at the same time, maintaining affordability. Smart Grid investments are focused on Advanced Distribution Management Systems, Transactive Controls, Microgrids, and Resilient Electric Distribution.NISTNIST's Smart Grid program complements DOE's efforts with an emphasis on measurement methods, best practices, and guidelines for interoperable smart grid technologies that enhance safety, security, resilience, and reliability, and enable new architectures for the electric grid of the future that may support new energy resources, stakeholders, and market models.For example, if a city or community is installing fiber optic communications, it may be cost-effective to install excess capacity to improve extensibility in anticipation of future demand. Likewise, spectrum sharing offers a mechanism to coordinate across application areas and increase the long-term capacity and scalability of the wireless infrastructure. In both cases, if additional projects are pending, anticipated, or projected, projects may be phased together to support a single digging operation, as well as a one-time allocation of resources. In addition, data from smart infrastructure can support decisions about infrastructure repair, retrofit, and redesign to improve long-term value. By taking an integrated approach, i.e., coordinating across multiple sectors, such as water, electricity, and telecommunications, cities and communities can develop intelligent, cost-effective solutions for satisfying user demand for services. Data, Knowledge, Practices & CollaborationFoster Smart Cities/Communities through Data and Knowledge Sharing, Best Practices, and Collaboration_03170e1a-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe86.3Knowledge sharing and collaboration could enable replication and scaling of smart city/community innovations across cities and communities both in the United States and globally. Data sharing and interoperability are critical, as data are the foundation of improved decision-making. The Federal government offers diverse tools and tactics, e.g., toolkits, convening workshops, and grant programs, to enable technology scaling across application areas and geographic boundaries. Toward increasing global competitiveness, the Federal government can cultivate best practices for sharing of data, innovations, and exports.Security, Privacy & InteroperabilityAdvance secure, privacy-preserving data sharing and interoperability_03171086-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe86.3.1Precision Medicine Initiative (PMI)In the case of datasets to support health innovation in cities/communities across the United States, NIH launched the Precision Medicine Initiative (PMI) with an initial investment of $200 million in FY 2016. PMI aims to gain better insights into the biological, environmental, and behavioral factors that drive disease. PMI tackles the aforementioned challenges, making data available to researchers across providers and sectors, and managing highly sensitive information. A cornerstone of this investment is storing, managing, and moving highly sensitive data from one million individuals, making them accessible to researchers. Innovations in data infrastructure (including software and hardware) are enabling this ambitious effort, addressing challenges in data management, movement, and analysis.NIHOpen Data InitiativeIn addition to NIH's PMI, Federal agencies are generating extensive datasets on a wide variety of topics ranging from the environment and census to transportation, energy, and beyond. Through the Open Data Initiative, agencies have been working to make these datasets easier to find and use through resources like Data.gov. Continued efforts to make relevant Federal agency datasets readily available to communities, entrepreneurs, innovators, and researchers will enable new analytics and capabilities that will in turn enhance understanding of cities/communities and their needs. Additionally, while there are clear opportunities for making existing data available, there are also compelling reasons for investing in the production of synthetic or simulated data to test and evaluate, for example, future or projected infrastructure solutions or disaster management strategies.CommunitiesEntrepreneursInnovatorsResearchersDHSScience and Technology DirectorateDHS Science and Technology Directorate, Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency, Data Analytics Engine -- The Data Analytics Engine (DA-E) uses emerging storage, security, computation, and analytics technologies to rapidly leverage and convert data to decisions for Homeland Security systems, missions, and operations. Many IoT applications require real-time analytics to maintain situational awareness and make decisions for quick action. Additionally, most real-world IoT environments involve multi-latency networks due to heterogeneous network interconnections, and multi-party networks, as different IoT sub-networks may be deployed and/or owned by different entities. DAE is exploring how emerging technologies can be applied to reliably and securely collect, stream, and analyze large quantities of IoT data in real-time.U.S. Census BureauU.S. Census Bureau Open-Source City Software Development Kit -- The U.S. Census Bureau's open-source CitySDK project makes valuable data and app development accessible by communities and civic innovators. To help incubate new apps that are based on open data, including smart cities/communities apps with broad civic benefits, the Census Bureau launched a pilot program of data innovation workshops, delivered in close collaboration with city experts, to help solve the most pressing local issues. The pilot program helps bridge the data production and management gap between Federal, state, and city data, and scales nationally through the Census's 50 State Data Centers Program. A key focus of the pilot is helping cities break down data silos to enable smarter disaster response.First Responders GroupDHS Science and Technology Directorate First Responders Group -- DHS Science and Technology Directorate’s First Responders Group is exploring the need for diverse types of geospatial data for emergency response in future cities and communities. The group is exploring how better access to a diversity of interoperable data sources and powerful analytics could inform and protect the safety of firefighters responding to an incident, enable next-generation, more intelligent firefighting systems, and allow safer and more efficient evacuation in the event of a disaster.By their very nature, smart city/community goals require the analysis of many different types of data from many different sources. For example, improving environmental quality and enhancing sustainability requires fusing data from air quality and traffic, energy usage, water quality, and other monitoring systems. Reducing traffic congestion requires integrating data from roadway infrastructures, vehicles, public transit, weather, and others. In the case of healthcare, improving the outcomes from a heart attack or stroke requires coordination of 911 operators, emergency vehicles, monitoring systems, and traffic management to get patients as quickly as possible to a treatment location. Therefore, incentivizing secure, privacy-preserving data sharing and promoting interoperability of that data offer two key opportunities for Federal support and engagement. Efforts to achieve comprehensive secure, privacy-preserving shared data for use within and across smart city/community infrastructure systems and services are needed. Currently, common datasets are limited or restricted to comparatively few infrastructure providers or sectors. Additionally, the privacy and security of data yields challenges. Replication & ScalingFacilitate replication and scaling through best practices_03171536-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe86.3.2Federal AgenciesBy bringing multiple Federal agencies together with local governments, academia, industry, and non-profit stakeholders to collaborate on shared solutions broadly adoptable to many cities, the cities can leverage each other's investments and reduce barriers to the adoption of such solutions. Through best practices and economies of scale, more cities and communities of all types can leverage, scale, and replicate each other's successes.CitiesCommunitiesLocal GovernmentsAcademiaIndustryNon-Profit StakeholdersThe Federal government has a role in helping cities identify best practices and boost replication and scaling across geographic boundaries by facilitating multi-city programs. Exemplary areas where best practices may improve scaling include intelligent transportation systems that cross geographic boundaries; remote healthcare systems that work in any city; and regional air quality improvements through coordinated local action.Global CollaborationFoster global collaboration to drive innovation_03171946-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe86.3.3CitiesWhile cities and communities have unique characteristics, they face common challenges regionally and globally. Global issues affecting cities and communities include increased consumption of non-renewable energy, impacts associated with natural and man-made disasters, variability in climate and severe weather events, access to safe sanitation and potable water, and efficient distribution of food. CommunitiesNSFBy engaging internationally, e.g., through programs like NSF's S&CC program and NIST's GCTC, or in fundamental research that addresses such global problems, technologists and researchers are able to share innovations and new approaches to common problems.Array of Things UsersIn one specific example, the Array of Things project ... is expanding its reach to other parts of the world, to understand the impact of different physical environments on the reliability of its technology, and to create a network of users who can share data, information, and approaches.Array of Things PartnershipThe Array of Things, A Partnership among Argonne National Laboratory, the University of Chicago, and City of Chicago -- As cities explore smart solutions as part of urban modernization, assessing and leveraging existing expertise, resources, and infrastructure, they may be able to identify emerging challenges and adopt smart city/community innovations.Argonne National LaboratoryLed by DOE's Argonne National Laboratory, the University of Chicago, and the City of Chicago, and funded by NSF, the Array of Things exemplifies a successful ongoing and expanding partnership. Innovations are being deployed to improve public health and welfare, and city operations.NSFUniversity of ChicagoResearchersResearchers are leveraging city resources, and researchers and city representatives are continually learning from one another. The Array of Things is a network of interactive, modular sensor boxes being deployed. A key element of the system is modularity so that new sensors can be added as needed. Currently, sensors evaluate metrics like temperature, light, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone, sound, particulate matter, and pedestrian and vehicle traffic to better understand their links to health outcomes, transportation safety, and crime.City of ChicagoThese real-time, location-based data are provided to researchers, policymakers, developers and residents, who are working together to make Chicago healthier and more livable. Chicago anticipates operating more efficiently and realizing cost savings by proactively addressing challenges such as urban flooding and traffic safety. In addition, residents should be able to track their personal exposure to air contaminants, enabling them to consider factors such as urban heat islands, air quality, or excessive noise and congestion, when navigating the city.NISTNIST Global City Teams Challenge -- NIST's Global City Teams Challenge (GCTC) is a collaborative platform to promote replicable, scalable and sustainable models for incubation and deployment of interoperable, standards-based IoT solutions and demonstrate their measurable benefits in smart cities and communities across the Nation and around the world.CitiesIn its 2016 round, GCTC has recruited and incubated over 100 "Action Clusters," or teams of diverse stakeholders with a common objective, including participation from over 120 cities and 300 companies, universities, and other organizations worldwide. In the 2017 round, GCTC is establishing multi-team "SuperClusters," which bring together Action Clusters to take on grand challenges, such as the Transportation, Energy/Utility/Water, and Healthcare SuperClusters.CompaniesUniversitiesCommunitiesThis initiative brings together groups of communities formed around lead cities and private sector partners to work with NIST and its collaborators, including DOT, DHS, NSF, EPA, and NTIA, to develop "blueprints" for shared solutions that will be collaboratively implemented and replicated in multiple cities and communities.DOTDHSNSFEPANTIATrade & InvestmentBoost global technology trade and investments opportunities_03171be4-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe86.3.4CitiesSmart cities and communities across the United States should think beyond their geographic borders and consider global trade and investment opportunities. An effective strategy for creating such opportunities focuses on local needs, while also seeking solutions broadly and sharing successes internationally.CommunitiesBest Practices & InteroperabilityShare best practices and promote interoperable technology._031720ee-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe86.3.4.1Global trade, investments, and export opportunities are enabled by sharing best practices and promoting interoperable technology.Knowledge & OpportunitiesFoster knowledge and opportunity sharing across the United States and globally._0317242c-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe86.3.4.2International Trade AdministrationFor example, the International Trade Administration and the U.S. Commercial Service's Smart Cities Task Force can foster deeper knowledge and opportunity sharing across the United States and globally. U.S. Commercial ServiceSmart Cities Task ForceBest PracticesSupport implementation of best practices across global borders_031726de-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe86.3.4.2.1Specifically, their trade promotion activities support joint implementation of best practices across global bordersMarket AccessAssist U.S. companies with market access challenges_03172c1a-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe86.3.4.2.2U.S. Companies... and their trade policy and sector work with foreign governments can assist U.S. companies with market access challenges (e.g., see the Smart Cities, Regions & Communities Export Opportunities Report).DiversityEnsure cities and communities do well for residents of all races, ages, socioeconomic levels, and skill sets_03172f62-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe86.3.4.3Local LeadersAdditionally, local leaders are challenged to ensure their cities and communities do well for residents of all races, ages, socioeconomic levels, and skill sets; and for those who have moved recently as well as those who have lived in a particular locale for generations. To meet these diverse requirements, city/community leaders can look to examples of successful solutions regionally, nationally, and then globally. One such example is developing and sharing best practices for context-aware technology designed for use by people with differing native languages, cultural references, disabilities, and cognitive abilities. Inclusive environments such as these should further support global opportunities, beyond the borders of the United States.City LeadersCommunity LeadersEvaluationEnable Evaluation of Progress and Long-term Growth of Smart Cities/Communities_0317320a-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe86.4Long-term growth and sustainability of smart cities/communities initiatives requires evaluating progress, demonstrating benefit, and investing in human capital. The Federal government, working with state, local, academic, and industry partners, can contribute to developing standards, metrics, and economic models for evaluation that can be easily adapted on the local level. In addition, the long-term sustainability depends on workforce training and communicating successes to all stakeholders, including the public.Standards & MetricsPromote standards and metrics for evaluation_0317371e-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe86.4.1NISTNIST Internet of Things-Enabled Smart City Framework -- NIST and its collaborators have launched a new international coalition dedicated to developing an IoT-Enabled Smart City Framework, with an initial release planned for summer 2017. Through an open, technical working group studying real-world smart city applications and architectures, the coalition may identify pivotal points of interoperability, where emerging alignment on best practices and standards can enable a landscape of diverse but interoperable smart city solutions. IoT-Enabled Smart City CoalitionCoalition members include the American National Standards Institute; the U.S. Green Building Council; the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA); the Republic of Korea's Ministry of Science, Information and Communications Technologies, and Future Planning; the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy, and Sustainable Economic Development; the European Telecommunications Standards Institute; and the FIWARE Foundation.American National Standards InstituteU.S. Green Building CouncilTelecommunications Industry Association (TIA)Republic of Korea's Ministry of Science, Information and Communications Technologies, and Future PlanningItalian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy, and Sustainable Economic DevelopmentEuropean Telecommunications Standards InstituteFIWARE FoundationKey features of an effective smart city/community system are interoperability, replication and scalability, extensibility, and ability to update. Interoperability enables modular designs that allow cities/communities to build solutions in manageable budget increments and enable options and choices among competing solutions. Replication and scalability allows cities/communities of all sizes and types to adopt successful solutions deployed in other cities/communities. Extensibility allows cities/communities to plan for future growth and evolving needs. Updating capabilities ensure that smart infrastructure systems that may be deployed for decades can be updated as technology evolves. All of these features require an underlying foundation of voluntary, consensus-based standards and best practices developed through industry-led processes, along with a robust testing and certification capacity that supports these standards. The Federal government can play an effective role in promoting the emergence of global smart cities/communities standards and best practices by providing relevant technical expertise and facilitating industry-led processes. This activity would seed private-sector testing and certification capacity for uniform smart city/community accreditation.Economic ModelsSupport economic models for evaluation_03173aa2-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe86.4.2NTIANTIA Broadband Technology Opportunities Program Evaluation Study -- NTIA contracted ASR Analytics, LLC, to conduct an independent Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) Evaluation Study of the long-term economic and social impacts of the $4 billion in American Reinvestment and Recovery Act grants awarded under BTOP. Examples of the analysis included evaluating the impacts of BTOP infrastructure spending on gross domestic product (GDP) in the areas served by the new broadband infrastructure. For the base case of a 2.0 percent increase in broadband availability, BTOP infrastructure spending could be expected to yield $5.7 billion in increased output annually, using Czernich et al. as a basis for extrapolation.ASR Analytics, LLCKolkoKolko provide a basis for estimating the increase in employment due to broadband infrastructure spending. Based on Kolko's estimates, the additional broadband infrastructure provided by BTOP could be expected to create more than 22,000 long-term jobs and generate more than $1 billion in additional household income each year.With cities and communities now being analyzed and understood as complex systems of systems, city-/community-scale economic models are increasingly important. Such economic models offer a means to evaluate and demonstrate impact and return on investments for smart city/community initiatives, evaluate progress in real time and make as-needed adjustments, and plan investments in the future. Technical expertise within the Federal government may support cities and communities in developing economic models and evaluation methods.KPIsDevelop performance indicators_03173e58-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe86.4.2.1These capabilities require an underlying framework of metrics and measurement methods, including quantifiable key performance indicators, and Federal agencies can facilitate their development. In doing so, unique characteristics of cities and communities should be considered to ensure that models and methods are easily adaptable to the local level.Human CapitalFacilitate long-term sustainability by boosting human capital_031743b2-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe86.4.3NISTNIST National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education -- The National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE), led by NIST, is a partnership between government, academia, and the private sector focused on cybersecurity education, training, and workforce development. The mission of NICE is to energize and promote a robust network and an ecosystem of cybersecurity education, training, and workforce development. NICE fulfills this mission by coordinating with government, academic, and industry partners to build on existing successful programs, facilitate change and innovation, and bring leadership and vision to increase the number of skilled cybersecurity professionals helping to keep our Nation secureGovernmentAcademiaPrivate SectorNSFNSF Cyberlearning and Future Learning Technologies (Cyberlearning) Program -- NSF has supported interdisciplinary research on learning in many programs over many decades, especially in cross-directorate investments. In the Cyberlearning and Future Learning Technologies program, three NSF directorates (Computer and Information Science and Engineering; Education and Human Resources; and Engineering) fund projects that exploit emerging technologies to advance learning in multiple contexts. For example, a recent project will examine how medical and emergency response teams learn to coordinate their efforts using data from cyber-physical systems. The goal of that effort is to enhance the effectiveness of multi-team systems, particularly in the context of sociotechnical infrastructures that are driving smart and connected cities and communities.CitiesCommunitiesThe long-term sustainability of smart cities/communities requires creating and supporting a population and workforce that are both motivated to understand and tackle local challenges and are enabled to do so through education and workforce development.Student ParticipationMotivate students to participate in their cities/communities_03174722-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe86.4.3.1StudentsCitiesCommunitiesUniversity of South FloridaIn one such example, through the NSF-funded Water Awareness Research and Education (WARE) program at the University of South Florida, 14 K-12 teachers and students work alongside university faculty and students to install and retrofit smart infrastructure to alleviate flooding, improve nutrient management, and execute project-based learning activities for all involved.The smart cities/communities arena offers a unique opportunity for the Federal government to engage with residents to spur interest in, and motivate students to, participate in their cities/communities in meaningful ways.Education & Workforce DevelopmentInvest in education and workforce development initiatives_031749fc-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe86.4.3.2In addition to engaging the community, Federal agencies can continue to invest in education and workforce development initiatives to provide the foundation of knowledge for smart city/community solutions. The foundation is in STEM education, which enables individuals to understand and apply the scientific method to solve pressing challenges. Additionally, computational thinking and data analytics are a cornerstone of smart city/community applications. Beyond fundamental STEM education, next-generation cities and communities require a trained workforce for cybersecurity, defense, agriculture, energy, health, environment, transportation, research, entrepreneurship, and beyond.Successes & Lessons LearnedCommunicate successes and lessons learned through cross-sector platforms_03174f92-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe86.4.4CitiesCommunitiesAcademiaIndustryNon-Profit OrganizationsNSFNSF-Supported US Ignite Application Summit -- NSF launched US Ignite in 2012 as a public-private partnership seeking to connect "islands" of broadband across the Nation and demonstrate the potential of game-changing new applications, "apps," that take advantage of smart, ultra-high-speed connections. These apps are offering new ways for communities to adopt and deploy new networking technology, enabling them to become smart and connected, and to provide never-before-imagined services that are beginning to transform public safety, healthcare, education and learning, energy, transportation, manufacturing, and more.US Ignite PartnershipUSCFor example, in education and learning, an app developed jointly by researchers at USC and educators in Chattanooga, TN enables STEM students in Chattanooga to learn Biology in newly immersive ways by viewing Pacific Ocean microorganisms under a 4k microscope, remotely manipulating the microscope in near real-time, and simultaneously holding high-definition video conferences with world-class university researchers -- all from 1,800 miles away via a low-latency, ultra-high-speed connection.Educators in Chattanooga, TNSTEM Students in ChattanoogaCitiesTo date, nearly 40 US Ignite cities and communities across the nation have deployed gigabit connections to homes and businesses -- and over 100 app concepts or prototypes that leverage these advanced networks have emerged.Private SectorSince inception, US Ignite has achieved 1:1 matching support from private sector and Federal sources, with significant commitments from corporate sponsors, local cities and communities, and foundations.CorporationsCitiesCommunitiesFoundationsComputing ResearchersEvery summer, the US Ignite Application Summit has brought together over 300 computing researchers, software and application developers, entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, industry executives, and mayors and other civic leaders (the 2016 summit had over 1,200 participants) to showcase the emerging content-rich, high-bandwidth, dynamic, secure, and reliable apps; identify opportunities for cross-city/community expansion of emerging apps; and catalyze new collaborations and partnerships for furthering the US Ignite ecosystem.Software DevelopersApplication DevelopersEntrepreneursInnovatorsInvestorsIndustry ExecutivesMayorsCivic LeadersNISTNIST Global City Teams Challenge Expo -- The annual Expo for NIST's GCTC is one of the largest convening opportunities in the United States for smart city/community stakeholders to celebrate progress and innovation.Smart City/Community StakeholdersAustin, TexasThe 2016 GCTC Expo that took place June 13-14 in Austin, Texas, attracted nearly 2,000 attendees to see the latest developments in the rapidly expanding smart city/community sector. More than 110 cities from 11 countries gave on-stage presentations and hosted display booths at the Austin Convention Center and over 90 teams demonstrated the results of their smart city pilots and experiments.It is critical to celebrate the successes and communicate the lessons learned of smart city/community innovations, especially in forums that reach broad stakeholder audiences and cross sectors. Key to these successes have been partnerships that bring cities and communities together with academia, industry, non-profit organizations, and others to work on innovative solutions that benefit residents. Each group of stakeholders offers unique values and perspectives for smart city/community innovation, and it is becoming increasingly critical to provide mechanisms for coordinating and sharing the cross-sector, cross-stakeholder innovation, and for building capacity to maximize the benefits of strong collaborative efforts.Next StepsEnhance and support implementation of a coordinated Federal smart cities and communities strategy_03175316-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe87To enhance and support implementation of a coordinated Federal smart cities and communities strategy, the following next steps should be pursued. Interagency CoordinationPromote interagency coordination_03175604-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe87.1ForumProvide an ongoing forum for interagency coordination._03175b90-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe87.1.1The Smart Cities and Communities Task Force should continue its mission to provide an ongoing forum for interagency coordination.Interests & OpportunitiesFacilitate identification of shared interests and synergistic opportunities._03175f3c-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe87.1.2The group should facilitate agencies' identification of shared interests and synergistic opportunities.Coordination & CollaborationEnable coordination and collaboration mechanisms_03176234-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe87.1.3The diverse capabilities and communities represented by Task Force member agencies could enable a range of coordination and collaboration mechanisms such as joint funding opportunities for multi-sector and multi-technology solutions that maximize synergies and reduce duplication; and coordination of multi-agency workshops and other meetings that bring together stakeholders to understand challenges, enable solutions, identify best practices, and grow and nurture the multi-faceted community, including by fostering new collaborations. Funding[Explore] joint funding opportunities for multi-sector and multi-technology solutions that maximize synergies and reduce duplication_03176888-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe87.1.3.1Workshops & MeetingsCoordinate workshops and other meetings that bring together stakeholders to understand challenges, enable solutions, identify best practices, and grow and nurture the multi-faceted community, including by fostering new collaborations. _03176c2a-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe87.1.3.2UpdatesPost and update regularly an online resource of Federal Smart Cities and Communities Programs_03176f36-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe87.1.3.3Smart Cities and Communities Task ForceNITRDAs the first step in promoting interagency coordination, the Smart Cities and Communities Task Force should post and update regularly an online resource of Federal Smart Cities and Communities Programs, a preliminary version of which has been developed. This resource should be maintained on the NITRD website.EngagementEngage with city/community stakeholders_0317779c-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe87.2Smart Cities and Communities Task ForceAs the first step in promoting this close engagement, the Smart Cities and Communities Task Force is releasing a draft of this strategic plan for public comment, ahead of publication of a final version. In particular, the Task Force is seeking input from the diverse range of smart city/community stakeholders, with the overall goal to establish and continually refine a shared Federal strategy for smart cities/communities that is informed by and responsive to the needs of the full spectrum of stakeholders, including those of the cities and communities themselves. This form of engagement may persist beyond the strategic plan itself to support the diverse range of Task Force activities recommended herein.A key element of this strategy constitutes close engagement between Federal agencies and cities/communities, industry, academia, and other government entities to understand local needs and to enable and mobilize solutions. Specifically, the Task Force should:ConsultationConsult broadly with stakeholder organizations, such as the International City/County Management Association, National Association of Counties, National League of Cities, Smart Cities Council, Telecommunications Industry Association, U.S. Conference of Mayors, US Ignite, Inc., and others_03177bb6-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe87.2.1International City/County Management AssociationNational Association of CountiesNational League of CitiesSmart Cities CouncilTelecommunications Industry AssociationU.S. Conference of MayorsUS Ignite, Inc.Public EventsParticipate in and convene public events, including conferences and workshops, to share the emerging concepts in the draft strategy_03177ecc-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe87.2.2InputUse the full spectrum of input from comments, consultations, and public events to inform Federal activities_031784b2-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe87.2.3Use the full spectrum of input from comments, consultations, and public events to inform Federal activities, including those that support the Strategic Priorities in Section 3.1 and the interagency coordination described in Section 3.2.1.RoadmapDevelop a shared roadmap for progress_031788a4-047b-11e7-8e1e-f5077fe62fe87.3Following public comment and upon revision of the Smart Cities and Communities Federal Strategic Plan, the Smart Cities and Communities Task Force should develop a roadmap for Federal actions that implement this strategy going forward. Subject to revision, the Strategic Priorities summarized in Section 3 offer the foundation for the shared roadmap. This roadmap should encompass the elements of effective smart city/community efforts, ranging from research and planning to exploratory deployment, and including milestones and evaluation, as well as surfacing and promulgation of best practices.2017-01-312017-03-08https://www.nitrd.gov/drafts/SCC_StrategicPlan_Draft.pdfOwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net