Surrey is one of the top seven “intelligent communities” in the world – according to a New York-based think tank.
The Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) evaluates communities on their ability to plan for the future using new technology, while still respecting their unique cultural identities.
The city made the organization’s 2015 list – released online Jan. 22 – along with U.S. communities Arlington County, Va.; Columbus, Ohio; Mitchell, S.D.; Rio De Janeiro, Brazil; Ipswich in Australia; and New Taipei City, Taiwan.
It was announced in October that Surrey was one of 21 semi-finalists selected from more than 300 nominations.
In June, the Intelligent Community of the Year will be named at a ceremony in New York City.
Surrey, receiving its first recognition from the ICF, was cited for a “diversification strategy deepening the partnership between its institutions of higher learning and local business” as a means of transitioning from a suburban past to a “sustainable urban future.”
Singled out for praise was the city’s Innovation Boulevard project, for bringing together health technology, clean-tech and advanced manufacturing under the oversight of representatives from government, developers, universities, Fraser Health, non-profit organizations and business associations.
For more information on the ICF, visit www.intelligentcommunity.org
