Network as the Next Utility for "Intelligent Urbanisation"
Initiative Launched From Cisco's Globalisation Centre East, Helping Cities Use Technology to Cultivate Sustainable, Intelligent Industries, Citizen Services, and Economic Growth
BANGALORE, INDIA--(Marketwire - February 12, 2009) -
Overview:
Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) today unveiled its holistic blueprint for "Intelligent
Urbanisation," a global initiative to help cities around the world use the
network as the next utility for integrated city management, better quality
of life for citizens, and economic development.
Key Facts:
Building on the thought leadership developed through Cisco's ongoing
efforts with Connected Urban Development (CUD), the Intelligent
Urbanisation initiative will bring together a broad portfolio of Cisco's
products, services, partners and solutions. The initial focus will be on
global sustainable solutions for public safety and security,
transportation, buildings, energy, healthcare and education.
Jointly with the chief minister of Karnataka, B.S. Yeddyurappa, Cisco
also announced a pilot program with the State of Karnataka to develop the
roadmap for an intelligent, smart and sustainable Bengaluru city. This
collaboration builds on Cisco's thought leadership and technology expertise
with Connected Urban Development (CUD), a public-private partnership that
includes cities like San Francisco, Amsterdam, Seoul and Singapore, which
develops replicable ICT solutions to help promote sustainable, intelligent
urban development practices.
Another step towards its focus on intelligent urbanisation, today Cisco
and Incheon Metropolitan City in Korea, announced that they have exchanged
a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to mutually collaborate and transform
the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ) into a centre of expertise for globalisation in Asia
Pacific.
As part of this collaboration, Cisco will provide its rich experience,
expertise and technologies for the globalisation of Incheon Metropolitan
City based on Cisco's existing globalisation projects in major cities in
Singapore, India, Malaysia and the Middle East. The two parties also agreed
to launch a joint task force to investigate the legal and technical aspects
of this cooperation.
Quotes:
John Chambers, chairman and CEO, Cisco
"With the number of people living in urban areas growing from three
billion today to five billion by 2030, urbanisation is a global trend
impacting citizens, governments, and industries. This trend will also
significantly impact the environment
-- the 20 most populous cities alone are responsible for 75 percent of the
planet's energy consumption. In a world where all things are becoming
connected, the network has become the next utility, enabling the holistic,
intelligent and environmentally sustainable creation and management of
cities, industries and public services."
"The Internet is quickly expanding from mobile devices and computers to
become the 'Internet of Things,' as it begins to encompass not only the
consumer and business internet, but now the industrialisation of the
Internet."
"Cities that are run on information will transform the quality of life for
citizens, drive economic growth and improve city services and management.
Particularly in these tough economic times, cities that use the network to
accelerate and multiply their infrastructure investments will be those who
not only survive challenges but thrive and lead into the future."
"The network is also key to addressing one of the 21st century's most
significant issues -- environmental sustainability," continued Elfrink.
"While technology contributes to about 2 percent of the world's carbon
emissions, it can be a substantial part of the solution. It is estimated
technology can reduce carbon emissions by 15% by 2020; an environmental
savings of 1 ton of CO2 per capita that translates into US$946 billion
dollars in financial savings. Additionally, cities that run on information
can improve their energy efficiency by 30% within 20 years."
Sang-Soo Ahn, mayor, Incheon Metropolitan City, Korea
"As the Mayor, and on behalf of the 3 million Incheon citizens, I am very
pleased to work with Cisco to transform IFEZ into a global and
environmentally-sustainable free economic zone.. We believe that Cisco's
announcement of intelligent urbanisation initiative is not just a global
vision, but will soon be a reality. Future cities that operate with cutting
edge information technology will improve public safety and security,
commerce, health care, manufacturing, education and benefit consumers. We
are certain that this initiative will significantly enhance the quality of
people's lives, build a stronger governance model and attract more business
and investment to Incheon. I am also pleased to announce that the city of
Incheon signed an MoU with Cisco to mutually collaborate in transforming
the IFEZ in Korea into a state-of-the-art international city in the Asia
Pacific. We are very proud of our collaboration with Cisco."
Josep Roig, secretary-general, Metropolis
"The major global challenges related to mass urbanisation, climate change
and economic recession are converging on cities. Innovative regional
governance strategies and new infrastructure renewal financing models are
amongst the main challenges. Information technology has become the fourth
utility in cities: city leaders and urban planners need to effectively take
into consideration the critical contribution that information and
communication technology provides to the solution of urban challenges"
Azim Premji, chairman, Wipro Limited
"Cisco's "intelligent urbanisation" initiative could bring the advent of
new industry models and ecosystems. Their focus on the network as a key to
environmental sustainability is in line with Wipro's self transformation
initiative to create an ecologically-sustainable organization and business
through Wipro's EcoEye. We look forward to continuing to partner together
to meet our customers' needs for ecologically sustainable products &
services."