In a cooperation of two national associations, the SmartCity Alliance, as an association of providers from trade and industry, and the Smart City Hub Switzerland, as an association of committed cities and the Smart City platform BABLE, anonline library was newly createdunder the name Swiss Smart City Compass. The aim of the platform is to create a comprehensive catalog of ongoing and already realized Smart City projects in Switzerland and thus to present good examples and to network various partners more easily. The platform is under construction and available in all national languages as well as English.
In the face of increasing challenges such as climate change, population and spatial development, increasing mobility, and infrastructure adaptations, cities and municipalities are challenged to better shape their development.
This can only be achieved together with a wide range of partners, through joint learning, innovation, new techniques and increased exchange. This is the only way to become smarter. "Smart City stands for a holistic development concept that aims to make cities and municipalities more efficient, more ecological and more socially inclusive," says Christian Geiger, President of Smart City Hub Switzerland and CDO of St. Gallen.
There is a growing number of successful smart city initiatives in Switzerland. Today, however, it is difficult to keep track of them all. On the new platform, a wide variety of interested parties can now network online. Enrico Baumann, board member of the SmartCity Alliance, states: "The goal is for the Smart City Compass to become the largest online library in Switzerland, where people can be inspired by the pioneering smart city projects, learn and also network right away."
The collaboration between the SmartCity Alliance and the Smart City Hub is unique in Switzerland. BABLE collects data on Smart City initiatives also outside of Switzerland and thus also represents a bridge to European markets.
"For cities, municipalities and cantons, the use of the platform is and will remain free of charge. The aim is to provide small and medium-sized municipalities in particular with simplified access to innovations, solutions and lessons learned - information and contacts can be exchanged in a neutral solution-oriented environment," explains Alexander Schmidt, Managing Director of BABLE He adds: "The data on the platform is encrypted and securely stored in the EU."
Further information
Benjamin Szemkus, Tel. 079 673 11 26, Managing Director Smart City Hub
(bs@smartcityhub.ch)
Kimon Arvanitis, Tel. 058 255 25 74; Managing Director SmartCity Alliance
(kimon@smartcity-alliance.ch)
