Preparing Vaughan for the next chapter

Feb. 16, 2018 12:00 a.m.
​Mayor Bevilacqua launches Smart City Advisory Task Force and issues city-wide call to action
 
Vaughan is in the midst of a transformation with major city-building initiatives underway. As the City continues its evolution, finding new ways to adapt to change, improve the citizen experience and enhance the quality of life are vital. With the population expected to surpass 400,000 in the next 10 years, Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua established a Smart City Advisory Task Force to advance a culture of knowledge and pursue continuous improvement.

The group will be responsible for generating ideas on how the city can seize opportunities and meet new challenges. It is comprised of industry professionals, academia and community members. A significant function of the task force will be to receive citizen input to identify future smart city strategies and ideas that will focus on different areas of importance to Vaughan.

Building on its continued success, Vaughan is participating in the Government of Canada’s Smart Cities Challenge. It calls on communities to use a smart cities approach to address local issues their residents face through new partnerships. This means achieving meaningful outcomes for citizens, businesses and visitors through the use of data and connected technology. The City could qualify to win one of two prizes of up to $10 million for communities.
 
Ongoing community engagement, consultations and workshops with residents, industry and stakeholder groups are being held to identify themes and priorities to complete the requirements of the application. Residents can also provide their ideas and feedback by completing the City of Vaughan’s Smart City Community Feedback Survey. Public workshops have been scheduled for the following dates and times at Vaughan City Hall:
 
Workshop Dates
Time
Theme
Tuesday, Feb. 20
9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Arts and culture recreation
Thursday, Feb. 22
9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Empowerment and Inclusion
Friday, Feb. 23
9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Environmental sustainability
Wednesday, Feb. 28
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Open community engagement
Thursday, March 1
9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Open industry engagement
Tuesday, March 6
9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Industry and innovation
Thursday, March 8
9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Health and community wellness

QUOTE
 
“My vision for Vaughan has always been clear – to build a place where people can live happy, healthy and fulfilling lives. I championed the creation of the Smart City Advisory Task Force to continue to make a significant impact on every aspect of citizen life. That is why the City is rising to the challenge of this nationwide competition to leverage a smart city approach to city business. We are already taking a leadership role in innovation to prepare for planned growth. From improving infrastructure and roads to recreation and health care, investing in smart city initiatives is a step in the right direction. As we continue to move Vaughan forward, it is important to empower the community to think about the future and it is vital that residents have their voices heard. Working to become a smart city is a chance to encourage civic engagement, accelerate economic growth and generate efficiencies. It puts Vaughan on the leading edge of innovation to adapt to a growing community that values sustainability and creativity.”
-Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua
 
QUICK FACTS

  • The Smart Cities Challenge is an opportunity to further utilize innovation, technology and information to improve the delivery of City services.
  • Vaughan has begun its digital transformation through the development and implementation of its Digital Strategy.

LEARN MORE
 
  • City of Vaughan’s smart city webpage
  • City of Vaughan’s Smart City Community Feedback Survey webpage
  • City of Vaughan’s Digital Strategy webpage
  • City of Vaughan website
All News