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The relationship between cities and universities is not always smooth. But cities and their global influence have grown dramatically, as has the complexity of the challenges they face. Cities are living laboratories, facing issues of transportation, healthcare, disaster resilience, and sustainable development. Far from abstract research questions, these challenges require real-time interdisciplinary solutions. Cities have also become tremendous sources for data analysis, and thus for legitimate research questions, both fundamental and applied. Opportunities exist for mutually beneficial relationships between cities and universities in addressing these problems, and in so doing better preparing a critically-needed cadre of workers and investigators. This presentation will evaluate the genesis and evolution of two Smart Cities projects involving the City of Fortaleza, UNIFOR and the University of Arizona, and suggest collaborative mechanisms to help facilitate such work in other areas.
Author(s):
Mike Proctor
University of Arizona Global Initiatives
United States