Page 13 - International Standards to Shape Smart Sustainable Cities: The Case of Moscow

Implementing ITU-T International Standards to shape Smart Sustainable Cities - The case of Moscow

1. ITU and Smart Sustainable Cities

1.1. Introduction to ITU’s work on smart sustainable cities (SSC)

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations specialized agency for
information and communication technologies (ICTs). ITU is committed to supporting cities
around the world and their evolution to become smart and sustainable. In line with its role as
an international standard developer, ITU has developed frameworks for public policies,
international standards (ITU-T Recommendations) and guidelines that identify the role of ICTs
in smart sustainable cities.

In October 2015, ITU and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) agreed
on the following definition for smart sustainable cities:

“A smart sustainable city is an innovative city that uses information and communication
technologies (ICTs) and other means to improve quality of life, efficiency of urban
operation and services, and competitiveness, while ensuring that it meets the needs of
present and future generations with respect to economic, social, environmental as well as
cultural aspects.”

ITU plays a significant role in providing a consolidated platform for discussions on policies,
strategies and standards related to Smart City development. This responds directly to one of the
greatest challenges of developing Smart City initiatives today, which is the fragmentation of
agencies and stakeholders in carrying out Smart City activities with the lack of global standards
as guidance.
With input into its activities from leading cities and Smart City experts, ITU has strengthened its
position as a central player in smart sustainable city development around the globe. Its activities
are summarized in Figure 1.

1