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Through its CORPORATE REAL ESTATE 2000 initiative, the International
Development Research Council (IDRC) has helped lead the charge
in redefining the conversation within corporations about the changing
nature of the workplace.
IDRC and the La Jolla Institute are pursuing a continuation of the
CRE 2000 research program to include issues of Smart Communities.
In particular, IDRC is looking to:
- Develop a
common language and models for understanding the needs and opportunities
to become a "smart community";
- Analyze best-of-practice
"smart community" case examples and extrapolate lessons from other
communities;
- Develop tools
for self-assessment and benchmarking;
- Articulate
a methodology that outlines a programmatic approach that economic
developers can use to guide their community's leadership into
the future;
- Outline approaches
to achieve the appropriate community-wide infrastructure including:
computer and communication networks, basic education and continuous
learning programs and working environments that respond to current
needs, potentials and visions of the future; and
- Provide scenario
developing tools and analytic frameworks to help guide stakeholders
in forging necessary partnerships and alliances.
Prior to initiating
the Smart Communities Project, the Jolla Institute produced a prospectus
for the research agenda as well as a white paper.
The prospectus
introduces the CRE 2000 research that will explore the issues at
the nexus of corporate business strategies and community economic
development missions. The white
paper defines the term "smart community" and provides some examples,
describes the major forces which are impacting the economy of communities
in the Information Age, and provides a case example of one region
grappling with the challenges of the new economy.
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