Changing the Game

6 Posts tagged with the cities tag

Only a couple miles from Edmonton (Alberta, Canada) lies beautiful St. Albert, a town of approximately 65,000. St. Albert is one of the region's most affluent communities, and its statistics would make you want to live there. Adjacent to the populated part of the City lies 400 acres of rural land, screaming to be developed as an extension to the already popular City.

 

The screams were heard by Rampart Avenir Communities, founded by Gerry de Klerk (an entrepreneur immigrant from beautiful Netherlands) and his family. Last summer, De Klerk family received the final blessing from St. Albert Mayor Nolan and City Council and the planning for the build out of "Avenir" is now in full swing.

 

Avenir is going to be home to 10,000 new residents; containing a nice mix of single family and multifamily housing that will be immersed in green land and the existing picturesque creek that flanks the Westside of the 400 acres land. The centre of this timeless development will include commercial and retail space and become a hub in a new regional transportation network, making it easy to get in and out of Avenir.

 

But that's not all: Rampart Avenir Communities has set their mind to also become the most smart and connected community in the region, and a blueprint for 21st community development in Canada and the World. In addition to great design and engineering and an optimized blend of 'work, live, play, and learn', Rampart's Avenir will also have one of the fastest -- and open access -- networks into every home, business, and corner of the community. Avenir will be a connected hub in the region, and leverage the network infrastructure to deliver new experiences to the residents, generate new business opportunities for the private and public sector, enhance health, education, and community services, and be fully enabled for future opportunities and technologies.

 

Rampart Avenir Communities has realized that you can't build and operate 21st Century communities with 20th Century processes and eco system partners. Gerry did what not many other community developers have done before: one of the first contracts he signed was with Cisco Canada. The entrepreneurship and vision of Gerry and Rampart Avenir Communities; his willingness to break glass where necessary and appropriate; combined with Cisco's technology leadership and global experience in building smart and connected communities; and with numerous other innovative partners that don't take no for an answer, has put the endeavor on track to become a Canadian showcase and worldwide example.

 

Follow progress on Facebook as the community gets developed online.

1,161 Views 1 Comments Permalink Tags: innovation, s+cc, transformation, cities, communities, connected, smart_cities, smart_connected_communities, behaviour, huijbregts, productivity, rampart, avenir, st., albert, alberta

This year, the impressive collection of Canada’s top 100 infrastructure projects total an astounding $ 114 billion investment (18% more than last year !). Only five years ago, a list as impressive as this one would have gone unnoticed by companies in the IT industry. Our industry would have simply dismissed it as just concrete, big cranes, and increased traffic congestion.

 

On the flip side, the companies that are involved in the large projects would have not given IT much thought either. Traditionally, the IT components in construction would have been as low as 0.25% (civil) to as high as 3% (commercial) – probably not more than $ 400 million of the $ 114 billion investment. IT would have been a rounding error and afterthought.

 

Times have changed. IT is increasingly becoming required and even mission critical for the development of future infrastructure projects. The driving force will come from a need for connectivity; connected lighting controls and HVAC in buildings; transportation systems (e.g. automated toll systems); sensors; wireless devices in vehicles and on persons, and so forth. Everything is becoming connected and interdependent. The underlying networks will need to be build or updated to support the massive increase of traffic (bits and bytes) and activity (transactions).

 

Additionally, the required compute power for the “analytics” that is giving us the ability to optimize the performance of our infrastructure (utilization, economics, energy) is calling for data centers and the secure availability of the cloud.

 

Not long from now, I suspect that we will find some of the largest IT infrastructure projects rank in the top 100 as provinces, municipalities, and businesses will need to develop this mission critical infrastructure. IT will be more than a rounding error, and become like concrete as the foundation for a smart and connected world.

1,220 Views 1 Comments Permalink Tags: networks, transformation, cities, change, infrastructure, communities, connected, smart_cities, smart_connected_communities

Last month, I participated in a panel discussion at Cleantech North on partnering for the establishment and growth of Cleantech applications and investments. Truth to be told: I’m no expert in Cleantech – but am certainly aware of its importance for addressing environmental sustainability while providing positive financial returns for investors and customers.

 

Cleantech refers to new technology and related business models that provide superior performance at lower cost; reduces or eliminates negative environmental impact; and improves the productive and responsible use of natural resources. Cleantech is mostly equated with renewable energy (wind power, solar power, biomass, hydropower, biofuels) but includes many other appliances that are now more energy efficient.

 

Being part of one of the largest technology companies in the world, I see the unequivocal relevance of IT in Cleantech and the significance of partnerships in the pursuit of economically sustainable innovation that addresses the many environmental challenges we face on Earth.

 

(1)   IT is Cleantech. Although technology is often accused of being a great contributor to energy consumption and inefficiency, it certainly can have much greater impact on the betterment of our environment (if you pick the right solutions from the right company). With the deployment of virtualization, we centralize the compute power and subsequent energy load—while delivering distributed and improved services and applications. This consolidation of IT functions has a tremendous impact on the overall environmental footprint, while providing greater flexibility and resiliency.

 

Furthermore, the use of business video (TelePresence) has a tremendous impact on businesses carbon footprint if make it avoid financial and environmental costly business and commuter travel. Ultra-high Definition and easy to use video communications will bring people together virtually without the hardship on the environment. At Cisco alone we have been able to reduce our carbon emissions by 40% thanks to the use of TelePresence and the elimination of business travel. Oh, and by the way, it also saved the company more than $1B in productivity gains and travel expense reduction.

 

Lastly, IT devices become more intelligent and energy efficient themselves while delivering more powerful capabilities; the IP Network has now the ability to improve energy performance of its connected IT edge devices (with EnergyWise).

 

(2)   Everything IT touches can be Green. The positive impact IT can have on the environment goes beyond its own components and devices. As we live in a world where everything becomes connected, we now can use the IP Network (the underlying nervous system of all IT) to monitor, measure, control, and optimize the energy consumption of everything we do, everything we use, and everything we touch. Consider the intelligent optimization of the Smart Grid (with renewable energy end-points) as we understand what and how much to deliver when and where, while harmonizing everything that connects to the grid.

 

Within buildings we see the converge of HVAC, lighting, and other building systems (that aren’t necessarily IT systems—yet) over the single IP Network which now provides the ability to improve the overall energy footprint. Our mobile devices can consume real-time data of our environmental impact and provide us with strategies to contribute to its reduction.

 

This latter argument requires partnering….and lots of it. It’s the governments, venture capital world and companies like ours that need to embrace the many innovators out there that are seeking to play a role in the improvement of our environment. If we can spend Billions on bail-outs and Trillions on wars, we certainly should be able to find the capital (financial and intellectual) to spearhead new technologies and business models that can make our world a better (and greener) place. In turn, we would all welcome financial returns and an eco-system that will help us grow greater business opportunities and create new industries and jobs. Cleantech is good for everyone: IT is good for Cleantech and Cleantech can’t do without IT.

1,701 Views 0 Comments Permalink Tags: innovation, green, energy, cities, demand, communities, connected, smart_load, cisco_energywise, engagement, huijbregts, emissions, cleantech

Agents of Change

Posted by Rick Huijbregts Aug 23, 2011

Canadian Construction Leaders meet with John Chambers on Productivity, Innovation, Opportunity, and Transformation.

 

There is no doubt we all agree on the uncertainties in life: economic struggles, political instability, environmental challenges, rapid technology advancement, quality of healthcare and education, urbanization, globalization and subsequent competition, productivity, job security and prospects, and on and on. It seems that we’re amidst more market transitions than ever before. This is challenging, especially for those that merely seek to survive. What is making some of us very nervous is turning into opportunities for others.

 

Yes; the construction industry has been struggling with declining productivity for years. Yes, the new workforce in construction and real estate is bringing iPad’s to work and are expecting to use them for business also. Yes, no construction project is alike and—at the surface— requires customized processes. Yes, the construction industry is one of the world’s most fragmented industries…it’s hard work to get millions of companies in the construction value-chain to think alike and embrace transformation like we do. Yes, it is probably one of the few industries left standing that has defied the possibilities of technology to drive innovation, transformation, and productivity opportunities. But, maybe it’s time to move beyond the excuses [we’ve heard them all before].

 

It was the ‘let’s do it‘ attitude that was clearly noticeable during a CEO roundtable discussion last week at @CiscoCanada between Cisco’s President and CEO John Chambers, and nine distinct leading executives of the Canadian construction and real estate industry representing property managers, contractors, architects, engineers, and developers. There is no better time to spring into action then NOW. The innovation is happening today and the proof points are resounding: one participant talked about his 600,000 SF commercial tower that will demonstrate the latest in thinking and capabilities that provides a true 21st Century environment for its tenants; another participant talked about her new addition to a large campus whereby IP has become the new fourth utility and will impact the business of education that takes place in the new building; a third participant illustrated how the Network is driving cost from his developments while starting to provide new and exciting opportunities for the operator and clients in his buildings.

 

With technological (r)evolutions in collaboration, video, and cloud as the building blocks for the construction and real estate transformation—the industry itself needs to get behind it and lead by example, lead by scale, and lead by fear. The market is forcing the construction and real estate to wake up and change its gears. Maybe it’s true that doing so 3 or 5 years ago was too early; but it is also understood that waiting 2 or 3 years may be too late. So, what do we need (and it’s all out there already, let’s repackage it if necessary): COLLABORATION – rethink how the conventional industry works; there are many industries we can learn from that have embraced 21st century technologies to support 21st century collaboration, teaming, and productivity. STANDARDS – the LEED standard, despite its flaws, has been able to move a market; possible adjustments in MasterFormat. BENEFITS – is everyone really aware of the benefits for CAPEX, OPEX, operators, tenants (etc) of smarter and connected buildings. METRICS – clear and consistent ways of measuring impact and success. TRAINING – certification for industry professionals and incoming workforce. PARTNERSHIPS – new, innovative, and unconventional relationships that jointly move the ball forward and start the transformation machine. LEADERS – we don’t have to wait for broad industry consensus: we need leaders… and I saw nine sitting in our office last week.

 

It’s time to lead, follow, or get out of the way. If you’re just seeking to survive…you may as well get out of the way…or follow. Just don’t get left behind !

 

For more, visit www.rickhuijbregts.com

2,276 Views 0 Comments Permalink Tags: innovation, technology, transformation, sustainability, cities, change, s+cre, communities, smart, huijbregts, productivity

Sometimes you need to look elsewhere to realize how far behind we are. I just returned from my vacation back to the motherland: the Netherlands. I have left Europe more than 15 years ago and somehow have little inclination to return [never say never]. Nonetheless, it was the little virtues in Dutch/Northern European life that made me realize once again in what a different world [North America] we live.

 

Cars have carbon labels. The better the label, the lower taxes (or no taxes) you pay. You want to drive a big car? You pay for it. On top of that, a litter of fuel will cost Euro 1.50 (almost double that in Canada). I saw the same labels in the windows of residential brokers: if you are looking for a home or condo, you can compare their energy and carbon efficiency before you make a sustainable choice. Nils Kok (see my “performance” blog) predicts this is coming to North America also.

 

Even though the Dutch do complain about their public transportation system – it’s awesome. Trains and busses are everywhere. They are relatively clean, fast, and…on time. The high speed rail network has made travel faster and more comfortable since I left the Netherlands 15 years ago. It is only with such comprehensive availability of alternatives to driving a car, that would allow a country to seriously tackle congestion issues (by the way: there is still plenty of a traffic issue on the main Dutch highway system).

 

Recycling seems to have become part of everyday life. Collection is easy and frequent, and not participating will be fined. It all certainly isn’t perfect: but somehow they seem to be seriously ahead with environmental sustainability; and have dealt with issues that North America can’t seem to get its hands around.

 

Now, that only seems to cover one of the three sustainability pillars. In my observations while roaming the Netherlands and Northern Europe, and reading the locals news papers, I think they are not necessary leading from a social sustainability (lots of political unrest and extremism) or economic sustainability (led by countries such as Greece and Italy yet with significant impact in Northern Europe also).

 

If we all together only could more realize the strengths and weaknesses from eachother in delivering true sustainability to our communities, cities, and countries—and had the ability to learn and adopt from one another; would we be able to jointly leapfrog ahead? And naturally, this is not only true between countries and continents. This holds true also for communities and businesses as well in the same continent and countries. So much to learn. Lead, Follow, or get Out of the Way.

1,811 Views 2 Comments Permalink Tags: s+cc, transformation, energy, sustainability, cities, change, communities, behaviour, engagement, huijbregts, rick

“Companies like HP, Lenovo and Dell recently experienced a drop in sales of their notebook PCs as a result of rising popularity and adoption of tablet devices among consumers”, says Forbes in June 2011. “Global shipments of tablets will climb to 215 million units in 2015 from 17 million last year”, says Toni Sacconaghi from Sanford C. Bernstein & Co [this is a 1,370% increase]. Have we ever seen anything this transformational, this fast, and with such a great impact on a technology that we only recently have embraced? No.

 

Is this a phenomenon that is driven by environmental sustainability? Or by cost savings or sheer economics? Or because the “legacy” technologies that are available to us are not sufficient anymore? Or just because the devices are so much prettier? No, No, No and more No’s. My take is that tablets are as popular as they are because they are not only productivity or efficiency devices – they are lifestyle devices. They change everything we do, how we do it, where we do it, and when we do it – with an incredible ease of use. They define us. Interestingly enough, it is not even the device that does all this to us—it’s the “apps”.

 

Let’s take this thought into the world of planning and designing communities and buildings. It’s the same. Sure; the building has to be esthetically appealing and appropriate. Yes, sure we do care about cost and the environment. But to those that eventually use the buildings, it’ll all be about the “apps”. It’s about what you do in those buildings, how you do it, where you do it, and why you do it. So, let’s learn lessons from the technology innovators: let’s create attractive environments that allow us to define ourselves. Let’s create “app” friendly places that deliver meaningful services to us on every device (both our personal devices and building devices) in every corner of every building in every community. Just maybe, bricks and mortar as we know it, are passé (like the PC will be sooner than we think)?

475 Views 0 Comments Permalink Tags: technology, networks, cities, change, design, productivity, tablets

Actions

Popular Blog Posts

Incoming Links