Page 27 - U4SSC Blockchain for smart sustainable cities

A smart sustainable city (SSC) is an innovative city that uses information and communication
technologies (ICTs) and other means to improve quality of life, the 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 and environmental aspects.

This definition was further streamlined together with other United Nations agencies, under the purview
of the United for Smart Sustainable Cities initiative (U4SSC) and the ITU-T Study Group 20 on IoT and
Smart Cities and Communities: 43

A smart sustainable city (SSC) 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.

This definition encompasses the major attributes of a smart city: innovation, the use of ICTs, the
goals of improved quality of life, efficient operations, and competitiveness, as well as the long-term
consideration for sustainability. These elements are generally thought to be common to smart initiatives.

While much of the smart city literature appears to focus exclusively on cities, an understanding that
communities of various sizes can be smart has a similarly long history. In the Smart Communities
Guidebook, developed by the State University of San Diego (1997), a smart community is described as:

A geographical area ranging in size from neighborhood neighbourhood to a multi-county region
whose residents, organizations, and governing institutions are using information technology
to transform their region in significant ways. Co-operation among government, industry,
educators, and the citizenry, instead of individual groups acting in isolation, is preferred. The
technological enhancements undertaken as part of this effort should result in fundamental,
rather than incremental changes.

Thus, smart initiatives can be undertaken by any group of people who live in a defined geographical
area and who share resources, infrastructures and services, using information and communication
technologies to achieve greater efficiency in their management, with the aim of achieving a higher
quality of life and the sustainability of its environment.

U4SSC: Blockchain for smart sustainable cities 17