This is the era of cities.
As people continue to flock to cities and rapidly growing metro-regions, urban environments have become complex hubs of work, education, culture, innovation and creativity and of aging infrastructure, transportation nightmares, environmental hazards, crime, inequality and poverty.
Mass accessibility to the Internet, social media, GPS-supported information and user-generated data has given rise to the era of big data. However, it is not the amount of data that is important. The question is rather how these new resources can improve the strategic decision-making and operations of innovative cities. How can science and technology be harnessed in order to enhance issues such as community building, prosperity and the reduction of urban poverty while keeping the cities vibrant, lively and exciting places to live for as many people as possible?
Meeting the Challenge
Given these profound transformations, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem is utilizing its expertise in Social Sciences to meet the challenge of innovating modern cities. This can be done by synthesizing research in spatial information systems (including big data) with innovation in the area of urbanism.
The Center for Urban Innovation is about advanced research and teaching in this field, as well as translating academic knowledge to real-world changes. It also aims to benefit the cities in general, mainly the city of Jerusalem, which, as the largest city in Israel, is facing unprecedented administrative, economic, political and social challenges.
What is Urban Innovation? While several definitions exist, what unites them as a common thread is the “Smart City's” principal mission, namely optimizing city functions and driving economic growth while improving quality of life (improving access to the city's various services, enhancing safety, reducing pollution, etc.), using smart technology and data analysis. Innovative cities are cities with the ability to integrate information and communication technologies (ICT) and people in public areas to enhance the learning, knowledge and quality of life of their residents, facilitating social, cultural and urban development. They are perceived as geographic networks that combine technological advances with the collaborative innovation between the main stakeholders in the city: residents, local and central government, industry, university and third sector organizations.
Prof. Noam Shoval
Academic Director
The Center for Urban Innovation
The Faculty of Social Sciences