Newcastle as a Sustainable Smart City – what will it take?
The United Nations predicts a near doubling of city dwellers by 2050. What will Newcastle look like then? What will it take to become a Smart City and what benefits can it bring to the inhabitants of the city? How can engineers contribute and what technologies will be needed?
UNSW’s Smart Cities Research Cluster suggests that a city can be defined as ‘smart’ when investments in human and social capital and traditional (transport) and modern (ICT) communication infrastructure promote the following four urban characteristics:
- sustainable economic development
- a high quality of life
- wise management of resources
- participatory action and engagement
Newcastle is currently going through a transformation as it embraces new ways of manufacturing and job creation for its future. This innovative mindset is occurring as Newcastle is seeing renewal with the NBN, a new tram system, a new campus for the University of Newcastle and recognizing in itself the potential to be Australia’s location of choice for the introduction of Smart City technologies.
The Engineers Australia Smart City Forum will bring together experts to provide a definition of a Smart City, present a picture of what Newcastle might look like as a smart city and discuss the role of engineers and technologists in the development and functioning of Newcastle as a Smart City.
Dr Nathaniel Bavinton – Smart City Coordinator, The City of Newcastle
Dr Andrew Mears – Founder & Director SwitchDin, Clean Energy Technology Integration
Dr Gary Ellem - Project Manager, Future Industries
Thursday 26th May 2016
Venue: Noahs on the Beach, Cnr Shortland Esplanade & Zaara Street, Newcastle
Time: 5.30pm for 6.00pm to 7.30pm
Cost: Members - $35
Non Members - $65