Smart cities and systems require heartful leadership

"The development of intelligent 'smart" systems benefiting our society, cities and regions require decision-makers able to set priorities wisely, see the value of aligning the interests of individuals and businesses, and bridge gaps between people and between spaces. Intelligent smart cities and regions invite new collaborations and necessitate that everybody is taken on board: all government bodies at all levels, the enterprises and the citizens.

Governments and public policies should, from the start, support the development of smart cities and regions. This requires visionary politicians, smart administrations,

sensitive management and good frameworks for public-private partnership models and for the development of SMEs and entrepreneurship for the benefit of people, communities and nature in urban and rural areas."

From Roudaina Al Khani's Keynote lecture at Toulouse City Hall on the 12th of December 2018.