The municipality of the future will be radically redefined by
current transformative technologies, including AI, robotics, IoT,
smart infrastructure, open data systems, and autonomous and
electric vehicles. One of the most pressing issues facing any city
is how much the future will be shaped by the companies driving the
technology, and how much by the municipalities themselves through
planning and adoption frameworks.
Canadian municipalities of all sizes are in the nascent phase of a
complex and potentially confusing journey toward the "smart
city." As municipalities pilot and deploy connected
infrastructure projects in partnership with technology
providers/partners, they will face new challenges that current
policy and legal frameworks are not yet fully equipped to address.
These include implementation logistics, obligations regarding
cybersecurity and the use of citizens' data, contractual
arrangements between municipalities and technology
providers/partners, and
