* This post has been updated to reflect an extension to the application deadline (9/2/2021)
Today, more than 80 percent of United States residents live in urban areas, up from 64 percent in 1950. The trend towards increased urbanization is expected to continue. One analysis estimates that by 2050 almost nine out of every ten people in the United States will be living in urban areas. This trend will be accompanied by technological innovations that will change urban life. Many of these innovations include “Smart City” technology such as inter-connected devices, intelligent infrastructure, data analysis tools, and much more. This technology has the potential to improve urban transport, education, law enforcement, and utility management. Yet “Smart City” technology also poses challenges for policymakers, raising questions about privacy, governance, and regulation, among others.
The Cato Institute’s Smart City Symposium will feature proposals seeking to tackle these challenges, including but not limited to:
- Privacy in the Smart City — What is the best way to protect privacy as more data are shared among an increasing number of personal devices? Is persistent surveillance a necessary feature of a Smart City?
- Regulatory barriers to new products and innovation — Are there technologies that are ready for deployment but are being grounded by regulatory or legal barriers? What regulatory framework is best suited for Smart City technologies?
- Smart City governance — How will Smart City technologies affect government transparency and accountability? What policies should govern officials seeking to implement Smart City projects?
Participants will be expected to produce an original paper of journal article length and be prepared to present the paper at a private one-day workshop and take part in a conference open to the public the following day. The private workshop will take place at the Cato Institute on June 6, 2022, with the public conference to follow on June 7, 2022.
The workshop will focus on paper presentations, discussion and suggestions for improvement, with the expectation that authors will go on to seek publication in external journals or in the Cato Institute’s Policy Analysis series.
To apply, submit an abstract of no more than 500 words to smartcities@cato.org by September 24th August 30th. The abstract should detail your proposed paper and be accompanied by a CV. We welcome candidates from a variety of backgrounds such as political science, history, economics, public policy, law, data science, engineering, or a related field. All candidates will be notified of the status of their application by September 15th 30th, and draft papers will be due on May 6th, 2022.
