Government Investing in Smart Buildings & Cities
This month, the U.S. government announced a new “Smart Cities” Initiative that will focus investments towards research and technology to help communities tackle the challenges of the modern world and continue to grow and thrive. The initiative aims to address environmental and climate concerns, fight crime, and encourage economic growth. Implementing smart new technologies, like smart buildings, will be a key part of the plan.
A Million Dollar Deal
The Administration will invest around $160 million for research on how to improve America’s cities and communities, and is setting up about 25 technology collaborations to help communities achieve their goals. President Obama stated that each “community is different, with different needs and different approaches. But communities that are making the most progress on these issues have some things in common…they bring together local government and nonprofits and businesses and teachers and parents around a shared goal.” This goal is to find solutions for communities’ problems in our changing world. By taking advantage of advances in technology, communities and individuals can change the landscape of their cities to make them more energy-efficient, safe, and accessible.
Key Parts of the Smart Cities Plan
- New grants will make up more than $35 million of the investment
- The National Science Foundation and National Institute of Standards and Technology have proposed $10 million in support of research for building Smart Cities
- About $70 million of new spending, combined with more than $45 million in proposed investments by the Departments of Homeland Security, Transportation, Energy, and Commerce, and the Environmental Protection Agency
- More than 20 cities will take part in multi-city collaborations with universities and industry leaders to find solutions for the future
- Cyber-Physical Systems Program research awards giving $10 million to support the research and integration of technologies to build smart buildings, among other new technologies
Making Buildings Smarter
Automated Control Systems is ahead of the curve when it comes to smart buildings. We provide smart building and building automation technologies in the Kansas City area. Call today at (913) 248-8828 for more information.
