Our panel discussed a range of smart cities and connected communities’ topics and delved into municipal sponsored digital access strategies, exploring innovative ways to ensure equitable access to digital resources for all residents. They explored smart density and housing trends in the modern municipality, addressing the pressing issues of right-sizing new growth and housing affordability.

They also discussed the intricate world of Technology and IP considerations in Smart Cities, navigating the legal and technological landscapes that underpin the creation of intelligent urban environments. Lastly, they dissected the challenges and opportunities in digital data strategy, focusing on the evolving role of data in municipal governance and how it can be harnessed for better decision-making and improved services.

Download the detailed agenda

Video recordings and materials for each panel are available below.

Additional Resources

Smart Cities Sustainability Principles and Goals Checklist

Arcadis Group and Dentons have developed a Smart Cities Sustainability Principles and Goals Checklist, which provides goals and guiding principles for municipalities and stakeholders to keep in mind during the planning process. You can access it here.

Dentons Global Smart Cities & Connected Communities Think Tank

If you’re interested in the Dentons Global Smart Cities & Connected Communities Think Tank please check in for the 2024 roundtables. This first-of-its-kind law firm-based think tank initiative, launched by the Dentons Energy team, is comprised of more than 700 legal, business, academic and policy thought leaders from all segments of the economy. Think Tank members collaborate to advise public and private stakeholders from start to finish on virtually all aspects of a Smart Cities and Connected Communities program. There is an Editorial Board producing thought pieces, newsletters, and industry and policy insights. The Think Tank hosts monthly virtual roundtables for collaboration and exchange of information on a global scale on innovations, challenges and best practices related to modernization of digital, physical and social infrastructure.

2023 Annual Report

Our 2023 Annual Report is available here and includes a description of the key pillars that we have structured to create a prism through which we may come at challenges from a variety of viewpoints approaching each challenge from multiple angles to be flexible to accommodate evolutions in priorities, technologies and approaches. 

If you are interested in joining the Think Tank under one or more of these pillars please let us know.

Members of the Think Tank are invited to:

• Join or lead discussions on innovative solutions and strategies to enhance city and community infrastructure.
• Contribute a thought piece, individually or jointly with other Think Tank members, on issues relevant to the development of smart and connected communities in our 21st century world (typical word count ranges from 500-2000 words).
• Collaborate, network, mentor and engage with a brilliant group of leaders from different sectors all working to achieve common goals related to infrastructure modernization.

Dentons’ Smart Cities and Connected Communities Thinktank 

A smart city modernizes digital, physical and social infrastructure and integrates all essential services for the benefit of its citizens by harnessing advances in sustainable technology to make delivery of these services more efficient, innovative, connected, secure, equitable, and exciting.

Dentons’ Smart Cities and Connected Communities Thinktank helps leaders, cities and communities take advantage of technological developments that enable the integration of essential services. Bringing together the resources of the world’s largest firm and leaders of municipal government, businesses, innovators and stakeholders, we help communities craft innovative legal, economic and policy solutions to societal challenges in an era of accelerating technological change.