How Vaughan is Creating an Interconnected Smart City of the Future

Raphael Costa, Director of Economic Development at City of Vaughan

The City of Vaughan continues to take a smart city approach to deliver efficient, reliable and innovative city building. From improving infrastructure and roads to recreation and healthcare, taking this kind of approach to everything we do is fundamental to delivering a high standard of living and exceptional quality of life. As one of Canada's fastest-growing and most diverse municipalities, advancing Vaughan's smart city initiatives is crucial to our ongoing success. The city’s economic development team is exploring innovative ways to develop a vibrant complete community. But how do we get there?

Realizing a Connected Community Development Program

Our team works closely with the stakeholders building Vaughan’s future homes and workplaces. Based on learnings from the City’s sustainability metrics program (SMP), led by our colleagues in planning and growth management, we have identified an opportunity to integrate a smart city lens through the development application process by highlighting and enhancing metrics relating to smart city principles.

Looking At Vaughan’s Sustainability Metrics Program as a Model

The city’s planning and growth management team, in partnership with the cities of Richmond Hill, Brampton and Markham, introduced the SMP in 2013 with the goal of supporting transformational change of sustainable buildings and connected communities. The program evaluates the sustainability performance of new development applications through a point-based system. The metrics are categorized around the built environment, mobility (sustainable transportation), natural environment and innovation, among others. A municipal partnership approach to establishing consistent green development standards has been successful in supporting transformational change in our communities. With a vision of creating a more sustainable future, Vaughan has taken significant strides in managing growth and facilitating the development of environmentally, socially and economically sustainable communities.

Adopting the SMP Approach for Smart City

Smart cities act as a catalyst for improved living standards of residents, ultimately transforming how we live, work and interact within our urban spaces. As urban centers expand and smart city technologies advance, both are expected to be interconnected. Based on the SMP collaboration framework, our team is exploring opportunities to incorporate smart city principles into the planning and development process in a transferable, collaborative way that can be implemented in communities across the Greater Toronto Area and southern Ontario.

By seamlessly integrating physical infrastructure with the power of connected technology, cities can unlock new opportunities for efficiency, sustainability and local economic development

Examples of proposed smart city metrics include future-ready infrastructure upgrades to allow for solutions such as digital connectivity, smart homes and parking, common e-mobility, logistics, air quality monitoring, waste management, construction materials and resident engagement. With these metrics in place, we can proactively ensure that the new proposed communities are equipped to become smart neighborhoods. By seamlessly integrating physical infrastructure with the power of connected technology, cities can unlock new opportunities for efficiency, sustainability and local economic development.

Promoting Smart and Connected Developments

Step 1: Auditing Current Programs

The City has demonstrated its commitment to smart sity innovation by incorporating principles into Vaughan’s official plan. Adding and expanding innovation metrics within the SMP will ensure the city’s future development aligns with the vision of a smart, sustainable and resilient community.

Step 2: Adopting Smart City Metrics at the Local Level

Vaughan is taking proactive steps to integrate innovative technologies, digital connectivity and sustainable practices into its planning and policy frameworks. This approach demonstrates the city's dedication to creating a forward-thinking urban environment but also sets a positive example for other municipalities to follow in their pursuit of smart city integration.

Step 3: Encouraging Wider Adoption of Smart City Metrics

Vaughan hopes to join other cities as a model for smart and sustainable urban development. Alongside our partner municipalities, we continue to support municipalities in developing green development standards, such as the sustainability metrics program, to provide further consistency across the Greater Toronto Area and southern Ontario.

As we explore the integration of smart city practices into the city’s sustainability metrics program, the adoption of smart city metrics should be seamless. The economic development team expects this approach will encourage innovation across the organization and beyond.