Overview 

Modernizing and coordinating digital, physical and social infrastructure can make delivery and use of public, private and hybrid services more efficient, cost effective and socially beneficial. Dentons' Global Smart Cities & Communities Initiative and Think Tank helps cities and communities take advantage of technological developments that enable the integration of essential services. Bringing together the resources of the world's largest law 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.

What is a Smart City/Community?

While there is no universally accepted definition of a "Smart" City or Community, Dentons defines Smart Cities as follows:  A Smart City modernizes digital, physical and social infrastructure and integrates all essential services for the benefits of its citizens by harnessing advances in sustainable technology to make delivery of these services more efficient, useful, innovative, and equitable.  It begins with the particular needs and goals of the city/community, and then aims to address those needs through advanced data analytics and efficient, coordinated implementation of advanced telecommunications, sensor and camera technology, traffic control, LED street lighting, deployment of electric and autonomous vehicles, smart health care services, smart buildings, and so many other technologies and services. 

One of the centerpieces of a Smart City is "the grid". The grid is a combination of the electric power grid and advanced telecommunications systems interconnected with and supported by a host of sensors and devices that amass and analyze data real time. Through predictive analytics, machine learning, clean technology and, multidirectional communications, the grid will be used to optimize the efficiency of city operations and services, connect citizens, improve quality of life, and foster sustainability.

While interconnectedness can be achieved almost anywhere, cities (and sizeable communities) are the ideal scale for broad deployment and integration of smart technologies. Over 50 percent of the global population now live in urban areas, cities produce  80% of global  GDP, and produce 70% of carbon emissions. It is projected that by 2050, more than two thirds of the world's population will reside in an urban setting. This growth trajectory means that cities will face increasing challenges in all aspects of their operations. Cities are particularly vulnerable to problems such as social imbalances, traffic congestion, pollution and strain on resources. It is recognized by mayors around the globe that deployment of sustainability strategies and becoming technologically smarter is necessary to improve quality of life in cities. In addition, it is understood that embracing advanced technologies will enable smart growth strategies which in turn leads to investment attraction and positive growth in cities.

The environmental impact of growing urban populations affects many aspects of daily life. Research indicates a strong correlation between cities’ environmental performance and their prosperity. Municipal governments must implement strategies for sustainability and, in some regions, for adaptation to a changing climate. This requires rapid acceleration towards a cleaner, healthier, and more economically viable city growth through improvements in efficiency, investments in renewable energy technologies, and corresponding regulatory reform. It also requires greening of urban infrastructure, transportation, land-use and development policies. Failure to make this shift leads to increased financial, public health and safety risks.

In addition to sustainability benefits, smart appliances, managed services for telemedicine, crowdsourcing apps, and so forth, can all improve the quality and convenience of daily life. Autonomous vehicles and mass transit made more efficient through data and automation can connect underserved populations with jobs and educational opportunities. Applications powered by artificial intelligence and smart streets can offer mobility to people with physical and cognitive disabilities. Smart cities increasingly incorporate computer-enabled networks, sensors, and software into buildings and infrastructure to control lighting, heating, and air conditioning. Sensor technologies can collect information in real time to manage traffic flow and energy use, and critical information can be deployed to do everything from reducing consumption of natural resources to empowering citizens to communicate more readily with first responders and with one another during an emergency. The possibilities for a connected future are endless. To get there, however, will require breaking down silos to coordinate across technologies, sectors and disciplines.

Recognition

Dentons' 4th Annual Smart Cities Summit

August 9, 2024

Canada: In October 2023, the Dentons Canada Smart Cities Think Tank team held its 4th Annual Canadian Smart Cities Virtual Summit featuring world class keynote speakers and panels with dynamic industry leaders. The 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.

Dentons' 3rd Annual Canadian Smart Cities Summit

August 8, 2024

In December 2022, the Dentons Canada Smart Cities Think Tank team held its 3rd Annual Canadian Smart Cities Virtual Summit featuring world class keynote speakers and panels with dynamic industry leaders. Where they discussed the challenges and opportunities in transit and electrification, broadband networks, alternative energy models for municipalities and the importance of regulatory leadership in propelling Smart Cities.

2nd Annual Canadian Smart Cities Virtual Summit

December 16, 2021

Canada: In October 2021, the Dentons Canada Smart Cities Think Tank team held its 2nd Annual Canadian Smart Cities Virtual Summit featuring world class keynote speakers and panels with dynamic industry leaders.

View all recognition for Global Smart Cities & Connected Communities Initiative and Think Tank

Insights

Energy & Climate in a Changing Federal Landscape: A Key Conversation with Jonathan Pershing

February 12, 2025

Dentons’ Smart Cities & Connected Communities Think Tank and Keystone Policy Center’s - Key Conversations program co-sponsored this fireside chat with Clint Vince, Chair of Dentons' US Energy practice, and Jonathan Pershing, Program Director of Environment at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and former US State Department Special Envoy for Climate Change. In this discussion, we delve into the evolving landscape of energy and climate policy, the outlook under the new Administration, and the crucial role that non-government organizations and civil society will play in shaping the future.

White House Issues Executive Order on Advancing US Leadership in AI Infrastructure

January 15, 2025

United States: On January 14, 2025, President Joe Biden signed an Executive Order titled Advancing United States Leadership in Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure (“AI Executive Order”).

Episode 26: Exploring the advantages of private smart cities and the path to efficient urban innovation

November 19, 2024

Canada: In this episode, Todd Daubert dives into the concept of "private smart cities" and how they’re transforming urban spaces through technology.

View all insights for Global Smart Cities & Connected Communities Initiative and Think Tank

News and Events

Recent Press Releases

Dentons partner Clint Vince brings energy to EEGlobal 2022

June 28, 2022

Clinton Vince, chair of Dentons’ US Energy practice and co-chair of the Firm’s global Energy sector for the US Region, was a featured speaker at this year’s Energy Efficiency Global Forum in Washington, DC, hosted by the Energy Efficiency Global Alliance.