In an Australian local government first, the City of Canterbury Bankstown has hosted more than 20 delegates at a Smart Cities think tank, tackling the question of how to engage some of the City’s most vulnerable communities on what a Smart City is.
Smart Cities Council executive director, Adam Beck, said Project Legacy was one-of-a-kind.
“I have never seen a council go to this length to inform all sections of its local community on
what a Smart City is, and how they can be involved,” says Beck.
“The community is at the heart of everything we do, but specifically focusing on marginalised or vulnerable residents, like youth and the CALD community, is something that just isn’t done very often. Today was really special for us, at the Smart Cities Council.”
“Today, we put every single delegate in that room to work. Everyone was so engaged and interested, and the ideas and opportunities were free-flowing. I’m excited to see what’s next for Canterbury-Bankstown.”
Mayor Khal Asfour says Canterbury-Bankstown was selected to host Project Legacy because it had a reputation for using technology for social good and having a keen focus on equity.”
"Today we came up with a number of actions, which use technology and data to engage with our community and ensure everyone has a voice in our Smart Cities conversation,” he said.
“It was a fantastic opportunity, for delegates, to leave a lasting legacy in Canterbury- Bankstown; for the community, to be heard and play a part in designing our future; and for Council to co-create with some of the best and brightest, and emerge smarter.”
