Page 31 - Redefining smart city platforms: Setting the stage for Minimal Interoperability Mechanisms - A U4SSC deliverable on city platforms

Adopt an open-by default approach: Platforms and components will evolve over time and new
technologies will be developed. We aim to have best of breed/open-source platforms, which avoid
vendor lock-ins that are harmful to innovation (See Box 2).

Prioritize partnerships and ecosystems: City and community platforms are seldom concentrated
around one solution or solution provider. They are a complex integration of systems of systems
built by an ecosystem, so fostering these ecosystems and partnerships is a key element in a smart
city and community platform.

Govern maturity and complexity: The platforms are heterogeneous by nature and the variety of
the maturity of the components will be very high. This results in systems that are complex to build
and maintain. Consequently, it is important to govern this accordingly.

Start small, think big: Don’t boil the ocean. Have a big picture of what you want to achieve but
start with small chunks that are achievable. Detail those parts, rather than starting with big designs.
These platforms will need to evolve and adapt, over time, to changing needs.

Box 1: Interoperability is one of the main challenges – and opportunities – in the
development of smart sustainable cities and communities, using digital technologies to
become more resilient, liveable and attractive for inhabitants and businesses. The goal is
to develop platforms that can allow key stakeholders, including governments, businesses,
knowledge institutions and inhabitants, to communicate and work together across domains.
Key in achieving this goal is defining modular and scalable, multi-layered ICT solutions
to enable cross-domain interoperability, moving beyond existing siloed solutions which
address specific challenges such as the improvement of traffic flows, surveillance, smart
lighting, among others.

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