Ipswich has been named as one of the world’s Top 7 most Intelligent Communities for 2015 by the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) in New York.
The ICF described the Top 7 Communities as ‘revolutionary’ in their own way, and each had planned its future in a way that is consistent with its cultural identity, while using universally available digital tools and broadband technology.
Mayor Paul Pisasale said Ipswich had been recognised previously by ICF as a global leader.
“The first was in 2011 when the city was named in the top 21 intelligent communities.
“It is tremendous to now be named in the top seven in
the world.
“The ICF judges stated that Ipswich was chosen owing to the Digital Hub project and Digital Enterprise program which teach residents and business digital skills, while at the same time Ipswich has started a major redevelopment of the city centre.
“Digital technologies are also being used to attract tenants in the CBD and to improve public safety.”
Councillor Pisasale said the city’s forward thinking in the mid 1990s with the creation of the first local government owned Internet Service Provider (ISP) in Global Info Links had paved the way for the city to be at the cutting edge of technology today.
“We planned for the future when coal mines closed then, and we are planning for the future now.
“Another example of forward thinking is the Polaris Data Centre, born out of the vision of the Ipswich Community Plan i2031.”
Cr Pisasale said the ICF award was the culmination of a citywide effort.
“I am so proud to be mayor of this great city because we did it as a community.
“In coming weeks we will host a visit from one of the co-founders of the Intelligent Community Forum to provide a detailed look at our achievements.”
Co-founder of the ICF Lou Zacharilla said Ipswich was now just one step away from the title of the world’s Intelligent Community of the Year.
“Being ranked as a Top 7 community puts you in a very exclusive club.
“Our Top 7 communities show the rest of the world how to create a city that is successful economically, culturally and socially and is a place that people want to call home.”
