Smart City Vancouver: Smart21 Intelligent Community Awards

The 2008 Smart21 includes communities from 14
nations, with first-time entries from Puerto Rico, Qatar and South
Africa.  Three of the communities named to the 2007 Top Seven list
(Tallinn, Dundee and the Gangnam District of Seoul) again appear among
the 2008 Smart21.  The United States claimed five spots on the 2008
list. Canada claimed 3 top spots on the 2008 list. Waterloo, Ontario
the home of the innovative technological University of Waterloo and
communications technology darling R.I.M., the creator of the
Blackberry, won the 2007 prize. The shortlist of 7 cities will be
chosen in January and the winner will be chosen in New York in May
2008.

Here's what they had to say about Vancouver: 

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
– With its record low unemployment and a rapid rate of growth, this
city of 587,891 is enjoying good fortune all around.  Its technology
industry, especially small businesses, are outpacing the number of
workers available.  A new private-sector based broadband wireless
initiative will a support a comprehensive technology plan and its
website won a "Best e-Government" award from the UN which will help the
community absorb the activity surrounding its hosting of the 2010
Olympic Games.

Other cities included on this year's finalists are: 

Cape Town, South Africa
Ashland, Oregon
Dundee, Scotland
Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Gold Coast City, Australia

Original Story:
Smart City Vancouver: Smart21 Intelligent Community Awards (Keep It Surreal)
Vancouver Photo: K. Pearce