Smart City Idea

Smart IT and Green Cars Clusters are organizing a series of conferences entitled “Smart City Congress”. For 2014 – 2015 we have planned several meetings organized in numerous Polish cities. The first conference was held on the 19^th of March, 2014 in Kielce during the ENEX and EKOTECH Fair, the second one – July 3, 2014 in Gdynia, and the third one – October 14 during the POLEKO Trade Fair in Poznań. For 2014 we have scheduled yet another meeting on the 2^nd – 3^rd December, 2014 in Sosnowiec under the Transport Innovation Forum. A summary of the whole cycle will end up with a gala for the organizers, partners and invited guests.

Great urban centers of the twenty-first century currently face some, previously unknown, difficulties. Increasing number of residents cause traffic and communication problems which make an everyday existence in our cities

hardly bearable. Omnipresent traffic jams and an escalating noise pollution are just very few reasons why we should take urgent actions to reorganize our urban centers as soon as possible. Visions of sustainable development, efficient management of the public space, improving the quality of life of the residents and cleaner environment have always motivated the European cities, which today are in the forefront when it comes to implementing intelligent solutions to improve the functioning of urban areas. These include cities such as Vienna, Amsterdam, London and Barcelona. Polish cities are currently at the threshold of a real change. Being aware of the possibilities and needs of our country, we offer a comprehensive solution that will allow us to more easily enter the European market and increase the competitiveness of Poland.

„Smart City” is a pioneering initiative that aims at facilitating the functioning of urban centers by using innovative solutions in the fields of energy, transport, information and communication technology while protecting natural resources. The concept of Smart City, as one of the key projects of the European Union, goes hand in hand with the implementation of the climate and energy package set by the European Commission. The involvement of cities in the construction of the “Smart City” will, inter alia, contribute to reaching the goal of reducing CO2 emission by 20% until 2020 and achieving energy independence. Smart cities already exist and confirm that the best direction of the development of modern urban agglomerations is the idea of “Smart City”. Its implementation can improve the quality of life while reducing its cost.

The main purposes of the Congress:

dissemination of information on cutting-edge technologies related to the „Smart City”,

Partner City promotion through creation of its prosocial and ultramodern image as an efficient and sustainable city in terms of energy, transport, information and communication technologies and environmental protection,

popularization of the idea of “Smart City” and its importance for the development of cities,

cooperation and exchange of experiences between local authorities and entrepreneurs,

urging to joint participation in the EU programs on the basis of a strategy of city promotion,

promoting energy solutions for environmental protection.

During the Congress we will be searching for answers to the following questions: how to translate the theory of “Smart City” to particular solutions, how to manage public services in the functional areas in excess of administrative boundaries, how to build economic potential and improve the quality of life through integrated activities without causing environmental damage and, above all, how to choose a suitable source of financing and prepare an EU grant application.

The thematic areas of the Congress are listed below:

Smart City – modern technologies based on the example of pioneering and innovative future city.

Green Energy – innovative solutions in the renewable energy sector (energy from wind, water, sun and biogas).

Green Transport – sustainable transport, aiming at taking care of the environment. Presentations of new technologies, scientific achievements which can improve energy independence and reduce greenhouse gas emissions,

Ecological infrastructure – visions of sustainable development and efficient management of public space having regard to the value of ecosystem services and natural capital protection,

Information technology – intelligent systems which create surrounding reality – road traffic, electricity, cultivation and food processing and distribution,

Mobile services – intelligent networks and applications to optimize management,

EU grants and project financing – skillful use of support from the EU.

In addition, during the Congress we will present electric taxi, which was created thanks to funds obtained from the European Union. This project is distinguished by high technological advancement and innovation. That is why we took the first place in the competition “Innovative project” organized by the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development for the implementation of the project entitled ”Construction of market of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure basis for energy security”.

The forerunner of city transformation is Zakopane. “EKO Zakopane Smart City – environment friendly and innovative technologies of city transformation” demonstration, which took place on 18 December 2012 in Bristol Hotel in Warsaw, turned out to be a huge success. It was one of the first steps taken by the city authorities on the basis of a strategy of Zakopane brand’s promotion which was developed in 2012. Thanks to this, the capital of Podhale became the forerunner of a new trend – “Smart City”. Its primary purpose was to improve the functioning of the city, the effective management of non-renewable resources, improving the quality of life and comfortable stay for tourists thanks to modern technology. The “EKO Zakopane” is currently in progress.

The Congress is addressed to journalists specializing in areas such as: ecology, energetics, automotive industry, innovative technologies as well as practitioners and theoreticians involved in the development of smart cities.

The ending of each conference will culminate in an hour-long thematic show performed by one of outstanding Polish cabaretiers.