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Christopher Vas and Anna Earl

The Smart Cities course charts a journey across New Zealand to understand how smart cities are shaping up from Christchurch in the South to the capital city Wellington all the way to Hamilton in the North.

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The Smart Cities course charts a journey across New Zealand to understand how smart cities are shaping up from Christchurch in the South to the capital city Wellington all the way to Hamilton in the North.

You’ll learn from real live smart city projects such as LED lighting, solar powered waste management solutions and more allowing you to better comprehend how New Zealand is paving new paths to harness technology to create social change.

You will analyse the role of various stakeholders in the ecosystem and examine some of the governance challenges. Finally, you will relate to developments in NZ by examining your own city context. Your interactions with other participants will have you contributing, debating, sharing and drawing insights from your city.

What you'll learn

  1. Understand how local City Councils in New Zealand are organising around the concept of ‘smart’ cities.
  2. Analyse the role of stakeholders in development of smart cities
  3. Examine governance challenges in smart cities
  4. Critique the evolution of smart societies.
  5. Articulate how Cities are tackling community challenges in smart cities
  6. Assess the relevance of global smart city practices to local context

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Understand how local city councils in new zealand are organising around the concept of ‘smart’ cities.
  • Analyse the role of stakeholders in development of smart cities
  • Examine governance challenges in smart cities
  • Critique the evolution of smart societies.
  • Articulate how cities are tackling community challenges in smart cities
  • Assess the relevance of global smart city practices to local context

Syllabus

Module 1: New Zealand and Smart cities
You will understand how the concept of smart cities continues to evolve, understand the role of technology and data, and get introduced to smart cities in New Zealand from the lens of the City Councils driving these programs.
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Module 2: Smart cities and community
You will examine how the smart cities program across NZ aids in tackling community challenges and the collaborative role played by stakeholders.
Module 3: Smart cities and wicked problems
How do smart cities in NZ address wicked problems such as climate change and natural disasters? This module will help you examine these aspects.
Module 4: Governing smart societies
This module will help you evaluate the role of the different stakeholders in governing smart societies.
Module 5: NZ smart cities and the world
In this module, you will learn how New Zealand Smart Cities’ initiatives are benchmarked against other Cities in the world and you can contrast it with your City.
Module 6: My city, my role
Take the knowledge that you have gained through the course and transform it into action plan that makes a difference.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Explores smart city concepts and practices in the context of New Zealand, providing a unique perspective on urban development
Provides real-life examples of smart city projects, offering practical insights into the implementation of sustainable technologies
Focuses on the role of stakeholders and governance challenges, equipping learners with a comprehensive understanding of smart city ecosystem
Involves collaboration and discussion with participants from different cities, fostering a global exchange of ideas and experiences
Examines the evolution of smart societies and the challenges they face, providing a critical perspective on urban development
May require some background knowledge in urban planning or related fields to fully grasp all the concepts discussed

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Smart Cities with these activities:
Join Class Discussion Groups
Engage with your classmates in online discussion groups to exchange ideas, ask questions, and deepen your understanding of smart city concepts.
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  • Actively participate in discussion forums assigned by your instructor.
  • Share your thoughts and perspectives on the course material.
  • Respond to questions and comments from your peers.
  • Collaborate with others to develop a shared understanding of key concepts.
Volunteer at a Local Smart City Project
Gain hands-on experience and contribute to the development of smart city initiatives in your local community.
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  • Research local organizations involved in smart city projects.
  • Contact the organizations to inquire about volunteer opportunities.
  • Attend volunteer training or orientation sessions.
  • Participate in data collection, outreach activities, or other tasks as assigned.
Take a Walk through Christchurch City, New Zealand
Kickstart your learning experience with an immersive project that encourages you to explore the real-world implementation of smart city concepts in Christchurch, New Zealand.
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  • Research and identify smart city initiatives in Christchurch.
  • Plan your walking route to visit key landmarks and projects.
  • Document your observations and insights on the implementation and impact of smart technologies.
  • Share your findings in a class discussion or online forum.
Five other activities
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Analyze Case Studies on Smart City Governance
Develop your critical thinking skills by analyzing real-world case studies of smart city governance models and challenges.
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  • Read and review provided case studies on smart city governance.
  • Identify key governance principles and challenges.
  • Compare and contrast different governance models and their effectiveness.
  • Write a short analysis paper summarizing your insights and conclusions.
Read: Smart Cities: A Global Perspective
Gain a broader understanding of global smart city initiatives and best practices by reviewing a comprehensive text on the subject.
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  • Read the book's introduction and key chapters.
  • Take notes on the different approaches to smart city development.
  • Compare and contrast the case studies presented in the book with the examples from Christchurch.
Complete Tutorials on Smart City Applications
Delve deeper into the technical aspects of smart city technologies by following guided tutorials that demonstrate their implementation and use cases.
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  • Identify platforms or websites that offer interactive tutorials on smart city applications.
  • Select tutorials that align with your interests or areas of focus.
  • Follow the instructions and complete the exercises provided in the tutorials.
  • Experiment with different parameters and settings to gain a practical understanding of the applications.
Design a Smart City Concept for Your Community
Apply your knowledge and creativity by designing a smart city concept tailored to the needs and challenges of your own community.
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  • Research the unique characteristics and issues of your community.
  • Brainstorm ideas for smart solutions that address these challenges.
  • Create a visual representation or prototype of your smart city concept.
  • Present your concept to your classmates or a local community group for feedback and discussion.
Develop a Smart City Action Plan
Demonstrate your mastery of the course by creating a comprehensive action plan that outlines how smart city principles can be implemented in a specific context.
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  • Choose a city or region to focus on.
  • Analyze the local context, challenges, and opportunities.
  • Develop a set of goals and objectives for smart city development.
  • Outline strategies and actions to achieve these goals, including technology implementation, stakeholder engagement, and governance mechanisms.
  • Present your action plan to your instructor or classmates for feedback and evaluation.

Career center

Learners who complete Smart Cities will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Smart City Planner
This Smart Cities course provides a comprehensive overview of the planning, development, and implementation of smart city initiatives, with a focus on New Zealand's approach. As a Smart City Planner, you will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies to make cities more sustainable, efficient, and equitable. This course will equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role, including an understanding of smart city technologies, data analytics, and stakeholder engagement.
Smart City Architect
The Smart Cities course provides a comprehensive overview of the design and implementation of smart city initiatives, with a focus on New Zealand's approach. As a Smart City Architect, you will be responsible for designing and developing smart city solutions that meet the specific needs of communities and stakeholders. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role, including an understanding of smart city technologies, data analytics, and stakeholder engagement.
City Manager
The Smart Cities course offers a comprehensive overview of the development and implementation of smart city initiatives in New Zealand. As a City Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing the planning, development, and implementation of city-wide initiatives, including those related to smart city technologies and infrastructure. This course will provide you with valuable insights into the key challenges and opportunities associated with smart city development, helping you to make informed decisions and effectively manage smart city projects.
Smart City Data Analyst
The Smart Cities course provides a comprehensive overview of the collection, analysis, and use of data in smart city initiatives, with a focus on New Zealand's approach. As a Smart City Data Analyst, you will be responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to support smart city planning and decision-making. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role, including an understanding of data analytics, data visualization, and stakeholder engagement.
Smart City Engineer
The Smart Cities course provides a comprehensive overview of the design and implementation of smart city infrastructure, with a focus on New Zealand's approach. As a Smart City Engineer, you will be responsible for designing and developing smart city infrastructure solutions that meet the specific needs of communities and stakeholders. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this role, including an understanding of smart city technologies, data analytics, and stakeholder engagement.
Project Manager
The Smart Cities course offers a comprehensive overview of the development and implementation of smart city initiatives, with a focus on their complexity and scale. As a Project Manager, you will be responsible for planning, executing, and monitoring smart city projects. This course will provide you with valuable insights into the key challenges and opportunities associated with smart city development, helping you to make informed decisions and effectively manage smart city projects.
Economic Development Specialist
The Smart Cities course offers a comprehensive overview of the development and implementation of smart city initiatives, with a focus on their potential to promote economic development. As an Economic Development Specialist, you will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies to promote economic development in cities. This course will provide you with valuable insights into the key challenges and opportunities associated with smart city development, helping you to make informed recommendations and effectively manage economic development initiatives.
Community Engagement Specialist
The Smart Cities course offers a comprehensive overview of the development and implementation of smart city initiatives, with a focus on their potential to engage communities and stakeholders. As a Community Engagement Specialist, you will be responsible for engaging communities and stakeholders in smart city planning and decision-making. This course will provide you with valuable insights into the key challenges and opportunities associated with smart city development, helping you to make informed recommendations and effectively manage community engagement initiatives.
Sustainability Manager
The Smart Cities course offers a comprehensive overview of the development and implementation of smart city initiatives, with a focus on their potential to promote sustainability. As a Sustainability Manager, you will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies to make cities more sustainable and environmentally friendly. This course will provide you with valuable insights into the key challenges and opportunities associated with smart city development, helping you to make informed decisions and effectively manage sustainability initiatives.
Data Scientist
The Smart Cities course offers a comprehensive overview of the development and implementation of smart city initiatives, with a focus on their reliance on data. As a Data Scientist, you will be responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to support smart city planning and decision-making. This course will provide you with valuable insights into the key challenges and opportunities associated with smart city development, helping you to make informed recommendations and effectively manage data science initiatives.
Information Technology Specialist
The Smart Cities course offers a comprehensive overview of the development and implementation of smart city initiatives, with a focus on their reliance on information technology. As an Information Technology Specialist, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and implementing information technology solutions for smart city initiatives. This course will provide you with valuable insights into the key challenges and opportunities associated with smart city development, helping you to make informed recommendations and effectively manage information technology initiatives.
Urban Planner
The Smart Cities course offers a comprehensive overview of the planning, development, and implementation of smart city initiatives, with a focus on their potential to improve urban planning and design. As an Urban Planner, you will be responsible for developing and implementing plans for the development and use of land in cities. This course will provide you with valuable insights into the key challenges and opportunities associated with smart city development, helping you to make informed decisions and effectively manage urban planning initiatives.
Public Policy Analyst
The Smart Cities course offers a comprehensive overview of the development and implementation of smart city initiatives, with a focus on their potential to improve public policy. As a Public Policy Analyst, you will be responsible for analyzing and evaluating public policies, including those related to smart city development. This course will provide you with valuable insights into the key challenges and opportunities associated with smart city development, helping you to make informed recommendations and effectively manage public policy initiatives.
Research Scientist
The Smart Cities course offers a comprehensive overview of the development and implementation of smart city initiatives. As a Research Scientist, you will be responsible for conducting research on smart city technologies and solutions. This course will provide you with valuable insights into the key challenges and opportunities associated with smart city development, helping you to make informed recommendations and effectively manage research initiatives.
Policy Analyst
The Smart Cities course offers a comprehensive overview of the development and implementation of smart city initiatives. As a Policy Analyst, you will be responsible for analyzing and evaluating smart city policies and initiatives. This course will provide you with valuable insights into the key challenges and opportunities associated with smart city development, helping you to make informed recommendations and effectively manage policy analysis initiatives.

Reading list

We've selected seven books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Smart Cities.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the concept of smart cities, including the role of big data, civic innovation, and the Internet of Things. It would be a valuable supplemental reading for this course, as it provides a deeper understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of smart city development.
Provides a spatial perspective on the development of smart cities. It would be a valuable resource for students wanting to understand the role of space and place in smart city development.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the governance of smart cities. It would be a valuable resource for students wanting to understand the different approaches to smart city governance.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the development of smart cities. It would be a valuable resource for students wanting to understand the different aspects of smart city development.
Collection of essays from leading experts on smart cities. It would be a valuable supplemental reading for this course, as it provides a variety of perspectives on the challenges and opportunities of smart city development.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the field of urban informatics, which is the study of how data can be used to improve urban planning and management. It would be a valuable supplemental reading for this course, as it provides a deeper understanding of the technical and methodological aspects of smart city development.

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