[:en]In the European Commission we understand that this agenda is increasingly important. Therefore we have created a team that coordinates the issue of smart cities.

The economy of the 21st century

Jyrki Katainen (Vice-President and Commissioner for jobs, growth, investment and competitiveness) cares about how to ensure financing for smart buildings and smart cities.

Violeta Bulc (Commissioner for Transport) takes care of all aspects of transport policy. Corina Creţu (Commissioner for Regional Policy) helps us with regional funds.

Smart cities means that the city will be a key hub for building a new synergistic infrastructure we need for the 21st century economy. This will be the data processing of sustainable energy and a shared economy.

Cities understand it first. The initiative comes from them. They have a great interest in order to help them create the legal framework and a platform where they can exchange experiences and where they can apply for refinancing of some projects.

Each city will be different

This represents a very simplified. Every smart city will be different, but they shared characteristics.

They will be developed on the basis of sustainable development plans, which develop and which often have higher ambitions than national governments.

They will use modern public transport.

They will try to be inclusive and to offer young people in order to study the future of the profession. They will gradually transform the industry, which is around them to be cleaner, healthier.

They will simply adapt to trends that should bring us to a carbon neutral economy in 2050.[:]