It's an interesting project: first, build a platform capable of taking connected smart cities technologies to cities all over the world. Then build your own smart city district to prove its effectiveness. The Gramercy District Smart City project is interesting for other reasons, as well. Not only is a private equity firm leading the project, it's also working with university researchers and major players in high tech — including Council Lead Partner Microsoft — and a group of startups. — Doug Peeples
Private equity company 22 Capital Partners initiated the partnership of researchers from Washington, D.C.'s George Washington University, state-supported Virginia non-profit Center for Innovative Technology and technology companies for the project.
The first order of business? The partnership, referred to as 22 CityLink, is developing the connected technologies platform it plans to provide for cities. Then it will use the platform to build the Gramercy District, a 2.5-million-square-foot area filled with luxury apartments, retail and office buildings, parking garages and a hotel. The development is expected to cost $500 million.
"We believe that modern technology is going to be a major force in urbanization projects and can improve the overall quality of life for the citizen. By using a holistic approach where we control all aspects of the development, we can improve the way people live, the way people learn, and the way people socialize," said Minh Le, managing partner for 22 Capital Partners.
A news release noted that the partners are taking what they describe as a "horizontal approach" that sees the complete consumer experience in all elements of a smart city by separating those elements into layers and pillars. As Dave Ladouceur, CEO of software company Neon Mobile and strategic advisor for 22 CityLink, put it "The pillars are where data is aggregated into functional areas and includes our smart city components: smart building, smart education, smart energy, smart engagement, smart finance, smart healthcare, smart mobility, smart operations, smart retail and smart safety."
Doug Peeples is a Portland, Oregon-based writer specializing in technology and energy. Follow @smartccouncil on Twitter.