Smart Region definition and framework to facilitate Smart Cities Driving a Smart Region.

Tender description

In alignment with the objectives of the Interreg Europe funded COHES3ION project the SRA are exploring how best to inform and support a regional Smart Specialisation approach and have identified key actions to facilitate this process, which includes the ambition of becoming a ‘smart region’. The Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) for the Southern Region recognises Smart Specialisation as the path to smart cities and a competitive, innovative and productive regional economy. Key to achieving this vision is for all locations, urban and rural, to collaborate on Smart Region Initiatives. A number of the RSES Objectives (RPOs) are dedicated to the Smart Region initiative. The successful implementation of these initiatives relates to new and transformative concepts and we seek to develop an applied understanding of what the development of a Smart Region means for different locations with differing attributes. This includes examining learnings from regional and international good practices and creating a framework of good principles and good practices as a tool to assist the integration of resilient Smart Region principles and processes across different themes throughout plans at the local level.