Nairobi misses out on final ‘Intelligent Communities’ list

Nairobi has failed to make it to the next round of ‘Intelligent Communities for 2015’ competition.

The Intelligent Community Forum has finally announced the Top7 Intelligent Communities for 2015 with Nairobi failing to make the cut.

Last week it was revealed that a new ranking by the Intelligent Community Forum has positioned Nairobi as the only African city to be shortlisted in the top 21 intelligent cities list.

The list saw Kenya’s capital city being named as one of the Smart21 intelligent communities in the world for the year 2015.

According to a video on the Intelligent Community Forum’s website, there is detailed analysis that takes place before the final numbers of finalists are announced.

“In October a group of academic analysts selected the smart 21 communities of the year. Global examples of communities poised to succeed in the 21^st century, since then these 21 have completed detailed questionnaires on their challenges and accomplishments; an independent research company has analyzed that data and narrowed the list of 21 to just seven.” The video informs.

The Top7 list is dominated by the United States with three communities: Arlington County, Columbus and Mitchell.

The others come from four nations: Ipswich, Australia; New Taipei City, Taiwan; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Surrey, Canada. Four of the cites are on the Top7 list for the first time: Mitchell, New Taipei City, Rio de Janeiro and Surrey.

“Each is ‘revolutionary’ in its own way, and each has planned its future in a way that is consistent with its cultural identity, while using universally available digital tools and broadband technology,” said Intelligent Community co-founder Lou Zacharilla.

The Top7 Intelligent Communities showcase a variety of solutions to the many challenges faced by the world’s cities ranging from economic growth to the environment. They have embraced the opportunities brought about by high speed Internet. Just as US President Barrack Obama noted earlier this week, “High-speed broadband isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.”

Today’s announcement starts the final portion of the annual awards program that will culminate in June in Toronto, Canada with the selection of the 2015 Intelligent Community of the Year.