Smart Cities Challenge

Smart cities have the potential to improve all aspects of livability and opportunity in a city.

Vancouver and Surrey continue to implement smart cities strategies

The City of Vancouver and City of Surrey congratulate the City of Montreal for their success in the Smart Cities Challenge  $50 million top prize.

Both cities continue to be excited about the opportunities ahead as we implement our localized smart cities strategies and related programs.

The Infrastructure Canada competition recognizes Canadian cities that use data and connected technology to address local issues. 

About smart cities

What is a smart city? 

Canada's Smart Cities Challenge 

Got local tech? Join us at marketplace.city 

Built on bright ideas

We partnered with the City of Surrey to compete in the Smart Cities Challenge. Learn about our proposed technologies, based on what we heard
from residents and the tech sector.

Review our final bid

What qualifies as a smart city?

Connecting you to mobile applications like VanConnect, which provides access to City Hall services on the go, is an example of how Vancouver is digitally transforming into a leading smart city. 

Look how we've used technology and data to improve connection and convenience so far:

WiFi for everyone

Free #VanWiFi in 755 public spaces across the city.

Wired bike sharing

More than 650,000 car-free trips in the city with Mobi by Shaw Go.

EV plug-ins

Electric vehicle charging stations at more than 250 locations.

Smooth traffic

Streaming video feeds from busy intersections help route planning.

Ask, act, participate

Mobile push and pull updates with the VanConnect app.

Quick response

City vehicles run quicker with biodiesel and GPS technology.

EV charging stations in the city in 2018
public WiFi locations in Vancouver
million users of our city website in 2018
downloads of the VanConnect app in 2018

 

What makes us so smart?

Watch and discover for yourself. #SmartCitiesCanada

View the slideshow

Cover slide of Jessie Adcock's slideshow, Smart City: The City of Vancouver Digital Journey

Technology is transforming cities

How is it transforming Vancouver? Join Jessie Adcock, City of Vancouver's Chief Technology Officer, on a journey into our city's future. 

View the slideshow (42 slides)  (3 MB)

Watch the videos

New tools for a digital journey

Meet Sadhu, Charles, Justin, and Tina. They work with the City of Vancouver and they use some digital tools you might not expect.

Watch the short clips on our Smart Cities playlist 

In the news

City of Vancouver and City of Surrey are in it to win it

Experience a driverless shuttle in your community

Vancouver and Surrey call for innovation for future smart corridors

Vancouver and Surrey joins forces to Smart Cities Challenge

City partners with Shaw to expand public's access to free WiFi

Vancouver is smart and hopes $50 million grant will make it smarter
Vancouver Sun

Vancouver’s chief technology officer keeping the city ahead of the digital curve
IT World Canada