
In 2018, Eden Strategy Institute ranked the Top 50 Smart City Governments from 140 smart cities, in the first independent global ranking of its kind investigating the roles that city governments play in leading a smart city strategy. This is the first study of its kind that does not rank cities against each other, but assesses how their governments perform in making cities smart.
The study has shown that governments are eager to explore different ways to integrate digital technology, knowledge, and assets, and offers unprecedented access to the most effective instruments to help governments become more responsive to users, improve city services, and make cities more adaptable, inclusive, sustainable, resilient, and loveable. Governments that were celebrated in our 2018 rankings have gone on to win greater investment, attract tourist volumes, and tighten the social compact with their citizens.
What does it take to be recognised as one of the top 50 governments in the world? How should governments in very different political, cultural, and socioeconomic situations be compared? What can medium- or small-sized cities in developing countries do to boost their chances to appear in such rankings?
Our 2020/21 edition will feature city resilience. We hope to see more ASEAN cities featured in this rankings, and during our information session held on the 19th June 2020, the study’s Lead Investigator Mr Calvin Chu shared good practices observed internationally, practical tips on how governments might present a strong proposal, as well as a practical framework for city officials to start on their smart city journey.