Code for Smart Communities under development

Smart Cities Council Australia New Zealand (SCCANZ) and the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) have announced a partnership to develop a Code for Smart Communities.

According to SCCANZ Executive Director Adam Beck, the code “will set new benchmarks for smart cities and communities across Australia, New Zealand and beyond, by providing important guidance on how to use technology, data and intelligent design to accelerate more efficient, livable and sustainable development projects”.

“The code will provide important, voluntary guidance to the development industry and include the necessary scoping issues, metrics and model language for the planning, design and delivery of smart communities,” he added.

For 15 years the GBCA has been driving sustainable buildings and communities in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa through its Green Star rating system. According to GBCA CEO Romilly Madew, “The Code for Smart Communities will provide valuable guidance to governments and private sector developers alike, and will complement the Green Star suite of rating tools.”

Beck added that SCCANZ was excited to be partnering with the GBCA on the development of the code, describing the organisation as “a world leader in the development of voluntary mechanisms for driving significant change within the built environment”.

The Code for Smart Communities will be developed with the support of an advisory committee set to undertake a 60-day sprint, which will involve multiple workshops and review sessions with key stakeholders. It will be showcased as a draft at Smart Cities Week, to be held in Washington, DC from 3–5 October.