How can a city leverage smart technologies to interconnect local government and city residents, and what are the economic, environmental, and social ramifications of implementation? When the New Jersey Innovation Institute, in partnership with the City of Newark, and Invest Newark embarked on developing a plan for a connected city, Econsult Solutions, Inc. (ESI) assisted with assessing strategies that could make Newark smart city leader. The challenges addressed in the study included: urbanization, growing populations, increasing expenditures, shrinking housing supplies, depreciating infrastructure, and environmental concerns.
ESI conducted a SWOT analysis, compiled information and data, and completed a review of COVID-19 pandemic responses undertaken by the city. This informed a four-part strategic plan for future city action. The plan prioritized opportunities for implementation, highlighted best practices, and defined steps to help Newark realize its technological potential.
ESI worked collaboratively with the New Jersey Innovation Institute and its partners, the City of Newark, NJ, and Invest Newark to gain insights and the data necessary to develop the Connected Newark plan.
The strategic plan provided a business case for adopting connected city strategies through smart technologies and aimed to create long-term value for Newark through improved technological integration. The document served as a framework for future policy and investment, helping to shape Newark’s connected city journey.
Recommendations of the plan included continual collaboration to ensure implementation and a framework for monitoring progress.
The deliverable, Connected Newark, is an illustrative document that presents the strategic plan and was also used for presentation to stakeholders and the community.