The program AlmereSmartCity contributes to:
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- More economical growth and employment (prosperity)
- Higher quality of service (contentment/ well-being)
- Better image (profile and promotion)
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1. More economical growth and employment (prosperity)
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Investing in development and application of ICT in enterprises is an essential but not sufficient condition for economical growth and increasing employment. The program will therefore mainly support activities and projects that:
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- strengthen the climate of innovation, including required infrastructure
- stimulate innovation in enterprises, with special attention for (knowledge-based) business to business services
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In cooperation with intermediateorganizationslike Syntens, the Chamber of Commerce and different associations,the program searches for initiatives that contribute to the implementation and use of ICT in small and medium sized companies (SME’s).
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2. Higher quality of service (contentment/ well-being)
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The use of ICT in social sections like education, health care, security care and mobility considerably contribute to quality improvement and cost reducing. Quality improvement in the sphere of attainableness (due to decreasing costs) and availability (independently of location and time) of services in these sections. AlmereSmartCity takes up the challenge to initiate and facilitate as much projects as possible that both urge and help local and regional enterprises and organizations with innovations. On the other hand -and simultaneously- these projects yield improved social services in the sections mentioned. The (local) government will have to prove the surplus of digital services. The customers (individual) wishes and demands are crucial. The government will have to communicate in a more frequent and personal way to radically improve the relation between government and citizens. Technology can give a hand.
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3. Better image (profile and promotion)
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A leading position in the use of ICT in the mentioned sections of the civil society matches in a perfect way with the image of a modern city. Almere is known for it’s outstanding position in the domain of knowledge and innovation. The first city in Europe that is provided with fiber into every company, office and residence and is therefore capable to turn to account the profits of the supply of services over these lightning connections. A city that in addition improves its image by the settlement of leading enterprises and organizations in the domain of research, development, production and distribution of digital content and related services. The city government herself is leading in offering digital services to the citizens of Almere and contributes in that way to the image of Almere as SmartCity.
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Status
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Almere Kennisstad is funded by the local government for another 4 years (until 2010). 2007 is the year of restarting the organisation, constructing the program and identifying new ideas for projects and activities. Half way now there are 4 projects in progress and a few more to come. Themes: service innovation, screen communication, smart living, social security, learning blends, artificial intelligence.
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Prospects
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Almere Kennisstad distinguishes 4 main lines in the program ‘Innovating with ICT’:
- Education, research & development;
- Enterprise, mobility and safety;
- Construction and housing;
- Health care and welfare.
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Almere Kennisstad is confident that in these areas interesting new and innovative projects can be identified and developed the coming years. Important is the partnership and collaboration with organisations who have their core in these social domains. Almere Kennisstad is just broking, advising, establishing connections between organisations and in the end co financing projects and activities.
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INEC members
