The Smart21 Award: Greater Montreal ranks among the 21 most intelligent communities of the year

MONTRÉAL, Oct. 21 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - The prestigious Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) has ranked Greater Montreal among its top 21 intelligent communities of 2016 (Smart21). ICF rewards the most dynamic and inspiring intelligent communities. This recognition is the first stage in a process which will lead to the announcement of seven finalists in February 2016 (Top7) and, ultimately, to the Intelligent Community of the Year award in June 2016. This is Montreal's second such recognition, having been chosen from a pool of 400 candidates and named a Smart21 intelligent community in 2014.

"Since then, we have created the Smart and Digital City Bureau which developed, with citizen input, the 2014-2017 Montreal Smart and Digital City Strategy as well as 70 resulting, concrete projects. We're proud of ICF's recognition, which we take as a clear signal that Montreal is on the right track to become a recognized smart city leader worldwide by 2017," stated Denis Coderre, Mayor of Montreal and President of the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM).

Since 1999, the Intelligent Community of the Year program evaluates communities according to an annual theme (This year, "From Revolution to Renaissance") and 6 specific indicators:

1. Broadband
2. Knowledge Workforce
3. Innovation
4. Digital Equality
5. Sustainability
6. Advocacy

"The City salutes the innovation, collaboration and citizen engagement active on its territory. Bold and inclusive projects led by players such as TechnoMontréal, le Quartier de l'innovation, le Quartier des spectacles, Fusion Jeunesse, Communautique, je fais mtl and many more, have allowed Montreal to make its mark on the international scene," added Harout Chitilian, Vice-chair of the executive committee in charge of administrative reform, youth, smart city initiatives and information technology.

About the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF)
Headquartered in New York, the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) is a non-profit research organisation dedicated to the study of 21^st century city development. This independent think tank is dedicated to job creation and the development of the digital economy. Centered largely on research, conferences, consultancy, education and an international awards program, ICF identifies and promotes intelligent community development best practices. www.intelligentcommunity.org.

Montreal Smart and Digital City Action Plan
The 2015-2017 Montreal Smart and Digital City Action Plan introduces 70 projects divided into 6 programs. The projects were chosen based on their direct impact on the population, the return on investment and production deadline. The full action plan is available online.

Twitter: @mtlvi, #innmtl
Websites: villeintelligente.montreal.ca fairemtl.ca
Facebook.com/mtlvi 

SOURCE Ville de Montréal - Cabinet du maire et du comité exécutif

Source: Andrée-Anne Toussaint, press attaché, Office of the Mayor and Executive Committee, 514 243-1268; Information: Valérie De Gagné, media relations, Public Affairs Division, 514 872-6013