Overview
The 'Smart Urban Technologies' programme was launched in 2011 and makes a major contribution to tackling many urban challenges. In the first year (2012), € 81 million was earmarked for this initiative, covering only the sectors transport and energy. Starting from 2013, the budget has been increased to € 365 million, covering three areas energy, transport and information and communication technologies (ICT). In addition, each and every demonstration project financed under the scheme has to combine all the three sectors. With this Smart Cities Partnership, the EU helps to establish strategic partnerships between those industries and European cities to develop and roll out the urban systems and infrastructures of tomorrow.
The programme objectives are to develop scalable and transferable solutions to contribute to the EU's climate action goals while supporting the energy, transport and ICT sectors in urban areas. The main targets of the programme are:
- Energy efficient
- Smart buildings
- Neighbourhoods and communities
- Smart digital services
- Optimisation and integration of flows (data, energy, people, goods)
- Smart and sustainable digital infrastructures
- Smart and sustainable energy systems
- Smart mobility services.