Brussels, 05/09/2013 (Agence Europe) - A strategic plan for the implementation of “smart cities” is due to be presented by the Commission mid-October.
European Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas announced the initiative when attending the “City Climate Leadership” conference in London on 5 September.
Kallas says the smart cities initiative is a “partnership that brings together people, business and organisations to integrate different aspects of innovative technology across the transport, energy and ICT sectors. If we can connect and combine these better, we can vastly improve the urban environment, by using diverse technologies to increase the efficiency of how a modern city functions”.
The commissioner mainly highlights the advantages of public transport as an efficient way to use road space, and to reduce congestion and pollution. “We need more public transport, not less”, he stressed, adding that the service provided must provide “punctuality, comfort and reliability”.
Kallas also affirms that intelligent transport systems are being considered very closely, as well as city logistics, access restrictions and green zones. He plans to continue to help member states to develop these aspects in their cities.
Emphasis should be placed, Kallas says, on the multi-disciplinary aspect, not just the technical aspect, in order to make a city a “smart” city. (MD/transl.jl)