Inside Amsterdam's Efforts To Become a Smart City

First time accepted submitter MollsEisley writes Throughout Amsterdam there are "Living Labs," or communities that act as petri dishes for ideas and initiatives to be tested before scaling them across the city. In IJburg, Amsterdam's youngest neighborhood, projects like free Wi-Fi and a new Fiber network, personalized television and transportation services, and a coworking space allow residents to experiment and test city projects to improve healthcare, environment, and energy programs in the city.

Sounds like Agile

[Ichijo]

It would be nice if legislators also tested their ideas for unintended consequences before making them permanent.

Re:Sounds like Agile

[Anonymous Coward]

In my workplace we have replaced Agile with Fugile ... which subtly combines agile with knowledge that all efforts are really futile and at the whims of upper management and sales.

Re:

[Shortguy881]

I completely agree. I'd also love to see some large federal programs in the US dissolved and passed to the states. Then we would have 50 test grounds to see what works and what doesn't. Unsuccessful states could then adopt programs from the successful states.

I may take some criticism for this, but the first area should be education. The federal government has completely failed the people in this regard. I honestly think the current situation is so bad, its worth creating test programs across the 50 state

Re:

[RespekMyAthorati]

That's because it would be too cruel to leave the citizens of backwards states,
in other words red states, to the mercy of their ignoramus leaders.

Re:

[Shortguy881]

Do you really believe the sludge you are spewing out? Partisan politics is a waist of time. Grow up and have an original thought.

I'm sure colorblind people...

[tlambert]

I'm sure colorblind people will appreciate the color-coded maps.

Hype & Marketing

[curious.corn]

Ijburg is a relatively new speculative development that's having trouble breaking even because of the crisis and it's pumping some cash into marketing creatives to prop up its appeal.

You should check out "Creativity And The Capitalist City" http://vimeo.com/49254956 [vimeo.com] it paints a fairly credible picture (although you Americans will start screaming "soclalism" before the title screen fades out...) Smart City my ass... go check Eindhoven if you want to see some potential in a de-gentrified area; Amsterdam is mostly Sales, Marketing and Advertisement.

Ah, the Trouw - one of the best Clubs in Europe - has just shuttered its doors to make space for a "Student Hotel"... pathetic

Huh?

[X10]

Smart city? Here? You must be kidding.

Amsterdam is a very smart city already.

[Bob_Who]

Amsterdam is a wonderful city for so many reasons. The intellectual, creative, and entrepreneurial capacity of its citizens and visitors has been apparent for centuries. This particular project won't influence Amsterdam's reputation much one way or the other.

My observation is that there is very little response from the slashdot community on this particular topic. That might be an indication that many slashdotters have not had the opportunity to go there.

It is true that back when I went, last millennium, marijuana was not legal in the US and the Bulldog Cafe's world renown was a great enticement to the land of orange, while in Europe. That reputation was never one of great intellectual value, and perhaps neither is this story. Nevertheless, I encourage every geek or non geek to make it a priority to burn some jet fuel and get your ass over to Europe and spend a few weeks with a first class Euro Rail train pass. Its way better for you and your intellect than a new car, and you will be a better, smarter person as a result of the experience.

If you can't manage to go at this time then try to appreciate the geek perspective of dutch sensibility in Teller's film "Tim's Vermeer"

Amsterdam is a very smart city, and you should see it and think about it if you can!