The Smart City Expo World Congress recently awarded 33 cities, individuals, and projects that used technology to make communities more sustainable, safe, and connected.

Indeed, among the projects recognised, the NYC Internet Master Plan aims to build publicly owned, open-access broadband infrastructure in order to close the digital divide. It wants to offer companies fast, reliable, and affordable connectivity options to more than 70,000 residents in public housing and 150,000 residents in the surrounding communities by early 2022.

Wuhan City, in China, was also rewarded for using the wide application of big data intelligence in urban governance and promoting economic recovery after the pandemic. It aims to make residents feel safer using the markets and improve waste management and ventilation as well as digitizing the weighing of fresh produce and allowing source tracing.

Valdosta in Georgia tested a smart traffic management system that connected all 128 of the city’s traffic lights, to enhance safety, connectivity, and efficiency for emergency responders and everyday drivers. Albuquerque also worked on improving the overall operation of its water infrastructure and strengthening cybersecurity defenses.