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Inside Amsterdam's Efforts To Become a Smart City

Posted by samzenpus on from the building-it-better dept.

First time accepted submitter MollsEisley writes Throughout Amsterdam there are "Living Labs," or communities that act as petri dishes for ideas and initiatives to be tested before scaling them across the city. In IJburg, Amsterdam's youngest neighborhood, projects like free Wi-Fi and a new Fiber network, personalized television and transportation services, and a coworking space allow residents to experiment and test city projects to improve healthcare, environment, and energy programs in the city.

4 of 16 comments (clear)

  1. Sounds like Agile by Ichijo · · Score: 2

    It would be nice if legislators also tested their ideas for unintended consequences before making them permanent.

    --
    Any sufficiently unpopular but cohesive argument is indistinguishable from trolling.
    1. Re:Sounds like Agile by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      In my workplace we have replaced Agile with Fugile ... which subtly combines agile with knowledge that all efforts are really futile and at the whims of upper management and sales.

  2. Hype & Marketing by curious.corn · · Score: 2

    Ijburg is a relatively new speculative development that's having trouble breaking even because of the crisis and it's pumping some cash into marketing creatives to prop up its appeal.

    You should check out "Creativity And The Capitalist City" http://vimeo.com/49254956 it paints a fairly credible picture (although you Americans will start screaming "soclalism" before the title screen fades out...) Smart City my ass... go check Eindhoven if you want to see some potential in a de-gentrified area; Amsterdam is mostly Sales, Marketing and Advertisement.

    Ah, the Trouw - one of the best Clubs in Europe - has just shuttered its doors to make space for a "Student Hotel"... pathetic

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    Mi domando chi à il mandante di tutte le cazzate che faccio - Altan
  3. Amsterdam is a very smart city already. by Bob_Who · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Amsterdam is a wonderful city for so many reasons. The intellectual, creative, and entrepreneurial capacity of its citizens and visitors has been apparent for centuries. This particular project won't influence Amsterdam's reputation much one way or the other.

    My observation is that there is very little response from the slashdot community on this particular topic. That might be an indication that many slashdotters have not had the opportunity to go there.

    It is true that back when I went, last millennium, marijuana was not legal in the US and the Bulldog Cafe's world renown was a great enticement to the land of orange, while in Europe. That reputation was never one of great intellectual value, and perhaps neither is this story. Nevertheless, I encourage every geek or non geek to make it a priority to burn some jet fuel and get your ass over to Europe and spend a few weeks with a first class Euro Rail train pass. Its way better for you and your intellect than a new car, and you will be a better, smarter person as a result of the experience.

    If you can't manage to go at this time then try to appreciate the geek perspective of dutch sensibility in Teller's film "Tim's Vermeer"

    Amsterdam is a very smart city, and you should see it and think about it if you can!