Ordnance Survey joins European Smart City project

Ordnance Survey, Britain’s mapping agency, is taking part in a European project that aims to develop a conceptual Smart City information framework based on open standards.

The project, named ESPRESSO (systEmic Standardisation apPRoach to Empower Smart citieS and cOmmunities), is co-funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme for research, technological development and demonstration.

As part of the project, Ordnance Survey (OS) will develop a strategic growth map for Smart Cities. Supported by PricewaterhouseCoopers, the agency will also analyse existing and emerging economic, financial (including crowd-funding) and procurement models. It aims to gather expert information and advice from commercial organisations and public sector bodies around the world.

Richard Woodling, managing consultant for Smart Cities at OS, said: “Over the next decade, the way we live, work and use energy, transportation, city resources and services will change significantly thanks to a range of innovative ‘Smart City’ solutions. Many of these innovative solutions will be based on sophisticated information and communication technologies.

“However, technological complexity, as well as the complexity of the various sectorial services involved within a Smart City, require a system approach to standardisation. We are asking Smart City operators to collaborate with us to produce a harmonisation of standards for global Smart Cities.”

OS is also supporting the ESPRESSO project by performing analysis on the existing European Smart City standards, and will provide a definition of a Conceptual Standards Interoperability Framework, taking into account sustainability, wellbeing and socioeconomic aspects.

Woodling explained: “The Conceptual Standards Interoperability Framework will seek to ensure matching market requirements, helping cities acquire a front run position in the EU Smart City arena. The emphasis is on cost reduction and an open market.”

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