As urbanisation within our region gathers apace, it places pressure on our cities to maintain a high level of liveability, productivity and sustainability.

While much of the smart cities discussion and investment has been largely led by local government, the Smart Cities Council acknowledges that cities are built upon the foundations of smaller components: precincts, neighbourhoods, town centres, campuses and business parks. This scale of development is what we loosely describe as ‘communities’ in this document.

The Code is solely focused on transforming these development types by providing a clear smart communities framework. We believe community-scale transformation is the most effective way to influence whole cities and regions.

As a voluntary tool, the Code represents best practice and encourages more sustainable urban development outcomes. The Code draws upon international best practice and standards and has been informed by extensive stakeholder engagement with those advancing the principles contained within it.

Without tools such as this Code, the market – both government and industry – often takes longer to act and improve its performance. This is one key outcome the Code strives to achieve, which is to shorten the transformation cycle.

Over time, as smart urban development practices improve, this Code can be refined and updated to provide more granular, specific and performance-based outcomes. We also acknowledge that the Code will not encompass everything needed to effect this urban development transformation, but is just one part.