The Stavanger region is the energy capital of Europe; it holds the European status as smart city lighthouse (among only nine cities in Europe) and is the Norwegian Smart Care Cluster on welfare technology. Further, the region has a high level of digital service development and provision, due to its high speed digital infrastructure (more and more commonly 1GB in/out in households).
City of Eindhoven, Netherlands
Eindhoven is the centre of the “Brainport Region”, today one of the three top economic engines of The Netherlands, delivering about 14% of the national GDP. The Dutch consortium consists of five partners: VolkerWessels, Woonbedrijf, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, KPN and the Municipality of Eindhoven.
City of Manchester, UK
With a total population of 2.6 million People, it accounts for the second largest economy in the UK. Industry sectors such as business services, ICT, digital and biomedical sciences are key to economic growth in Greater Manchester in terms of new investment, job and GVA creation. Manchester is the economic powerhouse of the North West region of England.
City of Leipzig, Germany
Leipzig is one of the most dynamic cities in the heart of Germany with approximately 550,000 inhabitants (2014). After years of population decline and an above-average unemployment rate, Leipzig started to regain popularity during the last years and is successfully turning from a post-industrial into a modern, knowledge-based economy.
City of Prague, Czech Republic
Prague is one of the most attractive and successful regions within Central Europe. The combination of its rich cultural and historical heritage and its unique architectural and urbanistic value creates a phenomenon even on a global scale. Prague is the home and everyday living space for approximately 1.27 million inhabitants and concentrates approximately 12% of the Czech population. Prague generates approximately 1/4 of the national GDP and is approximately 50% above the national average in GDP per capita. Major universities and a number of research institutes (2/3 of public research institutions) are to be found in Prague, as well as the majority of businesses active in research and development.
City of Sabadell, Spain
Sabadell is a Spanish City of 207,540 inhabitants (2014) and 37.87 km2, located in Catalonia (Spain). It belongs to Barcelona’s Metropolitan Region, where 68% of the Catalan population lives. In 2012 Sabadell pioneered the introduction of a Smart City programme in a structured, comprehensive and systematic approach complementing the implementation of new technologies for urban management. These measures included an increased level of 30% of LED installation in public lighting, of 13% of pneumatic waste collection, a 90% reduction of irrigation of parks and gardens and the implementation of remote management systems of air conditioning in 59 municipal buildings.
