Covid-19’s Impact on Financing Smart Sustainable Cities.
By: Lal Bhatia, PhD
If there is one thing the saddening calamity of 2020 has taught us…is that we were simply not ready. Humans are social beings; hence, when the subject of not being that very thing (i.e., social) came into play, most of us had to ‘work hard to live in the socially distant environment.
But as they say – sometimes it pays more to work ‘Smart’ than to work hard. This unprecedented crisis is forcing us to make decisions faster and prioritise sustainability and innovation to make supply chains and business models more efficient and resilient to future shocks, such as pandemics, climate change, or trade restrictions.
Smart cities as a concept came into being a while back, but the value of intelligent design and social data has become the need of the hour. With the right technology and environment-friendly concepts, smart cities are a platform to create a better tomorrow, one which is better prepared to adapt to circumstances.
But smart cities, in addition to the apparent benefits, can also prove to be very financially viable. From energy savings to the production of natural byproducts, the value and funding motivators for even the most skeptical investors are too many to mention.
Smart Cities – Smarter funding ideas
Although in the last decade, smart cities as an idea have been actively highlighted as it seems the best possible solution to take people towards a better tomorrow. Many funding programs have been introduced, and as of late, US President Joe Biden announced a $2 trillion package for the development of smart cities. Similarly, the European Union also pledged a 1.8 trillion Euro fund towards smart cities. These investments are a surefire indicator of the importance of smart cities and their need for the present and the future it leads to.
Funding plays a crucial role in the fruition of any concept, and smart cities are no different.
What we don’t often discuss is how smart cities through their financial self-reliance can become bankable projects thus gaining access to, including, but not limited to grants and investments supporting a transition to a green sustainable economy, with the project benefiting from the explicit support of host government, and as such presenting a competitive advantage to interested investors.
Any novelle concept requires an equally new strategic plan that clearly communicates the opportunity to investors and presents a holistic business model. It all boils down to sources of revenue, business models for attractive ROI, and value growth which need to be as innovative and smart as the cities they are meant for.
While many cities and municipalities are looking to upgrade their infrastructure through innovative technologies, many are looking towards developing new smart extensions to existing cities. But funding such projects is a mammoth task and requires unconventional approaches, including but not limited to Public-Private Partnerships.
Innovation leads to Innovation.
Several reports talk about some new developments transforming smart city funding. While unconventional financing policies are aiding cities around the world to reshape vision into reality. Here are some commonalities amongst most of them:
Public Sector Funding: While metros are looking for new ways to fund and improve infrastructure and services with additional support by the governments. One such example is City Leap in Bristol, UK, a public-private alliance that aims to raise £1 billion ($1.3 billion towards Bristol becoming a zero-carbon smart city by 2030.
Private Sector Smart Investment: The number of private equity firms considering smart city opportunities seems to be growing for obvious reasons. The concept involves working with cities and other stakeholders to develop new forms of public-private partnerships for smart city investment.
Asset-Based Value Creation: Using a city’s infrastructure and services to create new value to support essential smart features is another way of addressing the financial aspect. From creating advertising opportunities to seamless citywide internet…the possibilities are endless.
Platform Innovation: The Internet of Things (IoT) is a framework being used and further considered for multiple service options and cross-sector collaboration between various municipal stakeholders and the city’s population.
These and many more are the approaches being considered for mapping the future of our existing and future cities. In my and the view of many – smart cities should be designed similar to a fruit-bearing plantation…one that can support its upkeep, and more.
About the Author
A global thought leader, disruptor, and innovator with an entrepreneurial flair, Lal Bhatia, has conceptualized and developed new business models in the most challenging environments.
Bhatia’s has invested 33 years kick-starting New-Ventures, Building Teams, Managing Change, Developing Brands and Businesses, and Strategizing Digital Transformation. Lal has a vast network of clients and professionals in every corner of the globe, which he believes in cross leveraging for the task at hand.
Lal Bhatia is the Chairman of the Hilshaw Group.
778982 221473I like this web internet site extremely much, Its a truly good post to read and get info . 524003
I am curious to find out what blog platform you’re utilizing? I’m experiencing some minor security problems with my latest blog and I’d like to find something more secure. Do you have any recommendations?
696593 113093I enjoy reading article. Hope i can uncover much more articles like this one. Thanks for posting. 815594
Along with the whole thing which appears to be developing within this subject matter, many of your opinions are actually rather exciting. Even so, I appologize, because I do not give credence to your entire suggestion, all be it exhilarating none the less. It seems to everyone that your commentary are actually not completely validated and in reality you are yourself not really fully certain of the point. In any event I did appreciate looking at it.
252118 597331I surely did not realize that. Learnt some thing new these days! Thanks for that. 735341
Thanks for helping out, fantastic information. “I have witnessed the softening of the hardest of hearts by a simple smile.” by Goldie Hawn.
Hello, I think your website might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your blog site in Opera, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, terrific blog!
899860 316862Ive been absent for some time, but now I remember why I used to love this blog. Thank you, I will try and check back far more often. How frequently you update your internet internet site? 959847
973786 642353Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this site.Studying this information. 949447
962258 619445Aw, this became an extremely nice post. In thought I would like to devote writing such as this moreover – taking time and actual effort to make a very good article but exactly what do I say I procrastinate alot and by no indicates discover a method to get something completed. 973317
Saved as a favorite, I really like your blog!
Well I definitely enjoyed studying it. This tip procured by you is very effective for correct planning.
I just like the helpful info you provide for your articles. I’ll bookmark your weblog and take a look at again here frequently. I’m quite sure I will learn lots of new stuff right right here! Good luck for the next!
I’m still learning from you, while I’m trying to reach my goals. I definitely enjoy reading all that is written on your site.Keep the information coming. I liked it!
You’re looking for model and booking? “부산달리기” visit my timeline for more details
I am really loving the theme/design of your web site. Do you ever run into any browser compatibility problems? A number of my blog audience have complained about my site not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Opera. Do you have any ideas to help fix this issue?
Wohh precisely what I was searching for, appreciate it for posting.
Just wish to say your article is as surprising. The clearness on your post is just cool and that i could suppose you’re an expert in this subject. Well together with your permission allow me to grab your feed to keep up to date with coming near near post. Thank you one million and please carry on the gratifying work.
As I website possessor I think the subject matter here is very good, regards for your efforts.
certainly like your web-site but you have to take a look at the spelling on quite a few of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling issues and I to find it very troublesome to inform the reality on the other hand I?¦ll certainly come again again.
Hi, Neat post. There’s an issue together with your site in web explorer, could check thisK IE still is the market leader and a good section of other people will pass over your fantastic writing due to this problem.
A large percentage of of whatever you state is astonishingly appropriate and that makes me ponder the reason why I hadn’t looked at this with this light previously. This article really did turn the light on for me as far as this particular subject goes. But there is actually one factor I am not too comfy with and whilst I attempt to reconcile that with the core idea of the position, permit me see exactly what the rest of your visitors have to point out.Nicely done.
I appreciate your work, thankyou for all the useful blog posts.
Simply wanna admit that this is invaluable, Thanks for taking your time to write this.
I like what you guys are up too. Such clever work and reporting! Carry on the superb works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my site :).
Hey! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be okay. I’m absolutely enjoying your blog and look forward to new updates.
Please let me know if you’re looking for a author for your site. You have some really good posts and I believe I would be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d really like to write some content for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine. Please shoot me an e-mail if interested. Kudos!
naturally like your website however you have to take a look at the spelling on several of your posts. Many of them are rife with spelling problems and I in finding it very bothersome to tell the truth nevertheless I’ll certainly come again again.
The other day, while I was at work, my sister stole my iphone and tested to see if it can survive a 25 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now destroyed and she has 83 views. I know this is entirely off topic but I had to share it with someone!
Hi there! I simply wish to give a huge thumbs up for the great data you’ve here on this post. I can be coming again to your weblog for more soon.
I’d perpetually want to be update on new posts on this web site, saved to bookmarks! .
Appreciate it for helping out, wonderful information.
184167 120823Real instructive and amazing anatomical structure of articles , now thats user pleasant (:. 858291
Some really interesting information, well written and broadly speaking user friendly.
whoah this blog is excellent i love reading your articles. Keep up the great work! You know, many people are looking around for this info, you can help them greatly.
Howdy I am so delighted I found your web site, I really found you by accident, while I was looking on Bing for something else, Anyways I am here now and would just like to say many thanks for a remarkable post and a all round interesting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to look over it all at the moment but I have book-marked it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a lot more, Please do keep up the excellent job.
Hi there colleagues, its wonderful paragraph on the topic of educationand entirely explained, keep it up
all the time.
Hey I am so grateful I found your web site, I really found you by accident, while I was browsing
on Bing for something else, Anyhow I am here now and would just
like to say thank you for a tremendous post and a
all round exciting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to browse it
all at the minute but I have saved it and also added in your RSS feeds,
so when I have time I will be back to read a lot more, Please do keep up
the superb job.
423478 997304An extremely interesting examine, I might not agree completely, but you do make some extremely legitimate factors. 315828
I enjoy, cause I found just what I used to be looking for.
You’ve ended my 4 day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have
a great day. Bye
I must thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this website.
I really hope to see the same high-grade blog posts by you in the future as well.
In fact, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to
get my very own site now 😉
Hey! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with SEO?
I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords
but I’m not seeing very good success. If you know of any please share.
Kudos!
Ahaa, its nice discussion about this post at this place
at this weblog, I have read all that, so at this time me also commenting here.
I was wondering if you ever considered changing
the structure of your blog? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say.
But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so
people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot
of text for only having one or 2 images. Maybe you could space it out better?
I think the admin of this website is genuinely working hard
for his web site, since here every material is quality based material.
I’m extremely inspired together with your writing abilities and also with the structure for your weblog.
Is this a paid subject or did you modify it your self?
Either way keep up the excellent high quality writing, it is rare to peer a great blog like this one
nowadays..
Have you ever thought about writing an e-book or guest
authoring on other sites? I have a blog based
upon on the same ideas you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my visitors would appreciate
your work. If you are even remotely interested, feel free to send
me an email.
I always spent my half an hour to read this web site’s
content every day along with a cup of coffee.
Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point.
You clearly know what youre talking about, why waste your intelligence on just posting videos to your site when you could be giving us something enlightening to read?
Hello i am kavin, its my first occasion to commenting anywhere, when i read this paragraph i thought i could also make comment due to this good piece of
writing.
We stumbled over here coming from a different web
page and thought I should check things out.
I like what I see so i am just following you. Look forward to going over your web page
for a second time.
116526 636637Hey I was just seeking at your internet site in Firefox and the image at the top with the link cant show up correctly. Just thought I would let you know. 846453
Hi there! I know this is sort of off-topic however
I had to ask. Does operating a well-established website like yours require a massive amount
work? I’m completely new to blogging however I do write in my journal on a daily basis.
I’d like to start a blog so I can easily share my
personal experience and feelings online. Please let
me know if you have any kind of suggestions or tips for new aspiring bloggers.
Thankyou!
Hiya very cool web site!! Guy .. Beautiful ..
Wonderful .. I’ll bookmark your web site and take
the feeds additionally? I am satisfied to seek out so many helpful info here in the post, we need develop extra strategies in this regard, thanks for sharing.
. . . . .
With havin so much content do you ever run into any issues of plagorism or copyright violation? My website has a lot of unique content I’ve either created myself or outsourced but it seems a lot of it is popping it up all over the web without my agreement. Do you know any techniques to help stop content from being stolen? I’d truly appreciate it.
Some really wonderful blog posts on this internet site, regards for contribution. “A man with a new idea is a crank — until the idea succeeds.” by Mark Twain.
Ridiculous quest there. What occurred after? Thanks!
Hello, I enjoy reading through your post. I wanted to
write a little comment to support you.
I’ve been surfing online greater than 3 hours today, but I by no means discovered any attention-grabbing article like yours.
It’s beautiful worth sufficient for me. In my opinion, if all website owners and bloggers made just right content as you probably did, the web might be
a lot more useful than ever before.
I really like it when people come together and share opinions.
Great blog, stick with it!
Thankfulness to my fathuer who stated to mme about this website, thiss weblog is in fact
remarkable.
Respect to website author, some excellent information .
I am perpetually thought about this, thankyou for putting up.
I gotta bookmark this internet site it seems very useful very helpful
Hiya, I am really glad I’ve found this info. Nowadays bloggers publish just about gossips and net and this is really frustrating. A good site with interesting content, that’s what I need. Thanks for keeping this web site, I’ll be visiting it. Do you do newsletters? Can’t find it.
I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get got an impatience over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come further formerly again as exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this increase.
Needed to compose you the bit of word to thank you very much again considering the spectacular strategies you have contributed at this time. This is really particularly generous with you to supply unreservedly exactly what a few individuals could possibly have offered for an ebook in making some cash for themselves, precisely given that you might well have tried it in the event you wanted. Those tricks likewise served as the good way to understand that other individuals have the identical passion the same as mine to understand lots more with reference to this issue. I know there are a lot more fun situations up front for individuals who look into your website.
Great blog here! Also your site loads up very fast! What web host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my web site loaded up as quickly as yours lol
Thank you for sharing excellent informations. Your website is very cool. I am impressed by the details that you have on this site. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for more articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found simply the info I already searched everywhere and just couldn’t come across. What a great web-site.
Hello there! I just wish to offer you a big thumbs up for your great information you’ve got here on this post.
I will be coming back to your site for more soon.
Hi there! This is my first comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and say
I truly enjoy reading through your blog posts. Can you suggest any other blogs/websites/forums that cover the same topics?
Thanks a ton!
Hello there, I found your website by the use of Google at the same time as searching for a similar subject, your
site came up, it looks great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
Hi there, simply was aware of your weblog via Google,
and found that it is really informative. I’m gonna watch out for brussels.
I’ll be grateful if you happen to proceed this in future. Many other folks shall be benefited out
of your writing. Cheers!
Excellent post. I was checking continuously this blog and I am impressed! Very useful information specially the last part 🙂 I care for such info a lot. I was seeking this particular info for a long time. Thank you and good luck.
My brother suggested I might like this website. He was once totally right. This post actually made my day. You cann’t believe just how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!
Nice blog here! Also your site loads up fast! What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my website loaded up as fast as yours lol
Just wish to say your article is as astonishing. The clearness in your post is simply spectacular and i can assume you’re an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission allow me to grab your feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep up the rewarding work.
Wonderful goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you’re just too wonderful. I really like what you’ve acquired here, really like what you’re stating and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still take care of to keep it smart. I can not wait to read far more from you. This is actually a wonderful website.
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely smartly written article. I will be sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful information. Thank you for the post. I will definitely comeback.
When someone writes an article he/she maintains the idea of a user in his/her mind that how a user can know it. Thus that’s why this article is great. Thanks!
Very interesting topic, regards for posting.
Hi there mates, its enormous article about teachingand fully explained, keep it up all the time.
It’s really a nice and helpful piece of information. I’m glad that you simply shared this helpful info with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.