The Australian Smart Communities Association (ASCA) has now launched its 2022 to 2026 Strategic Plan. 

The Strategic Plan highlights ASCA’s vision ‘To strategically employ smart technology and innovation to improve local and national liveability, prosperity, and sustainability.’

The overall mission is to work with ASCA members and stakeholders to enhance smart community knowledge, policy, capacity, confidence, and collaboration.

The focus of the Strategic Plan is to help ASCA members accelerate the adoption of projects that define smart cities and communities and to create an environment where new technologies can be developed, and creativity and innovation are fostered.

Members were consulted in 2021 to understand priorities and ASCA member, Delos Delta supported the process of developing the Strategic Plan.

Laura Baker, ASCA President said, “we are excited to continue to build the momentum of smart community uptake across Australia.  Since we started in 2010, we have been supporting our members to make the best use of digital technologies, data, and innovation. 

‘ We wish to thank all members who contributed to the strategic planning process and a huge thank you to Delos Delta for their support and leadership in developing this document.”

“Our Strategic Plan provides clear direction and accountability for us as an organisation to best represent our growing member base. We know that now more than ever, we need smart community leaders to be empowered to make sustainable change in their communities. ASCA offers a platform to grow as a smart community leader and we are excited to be supporting this sector,” said Ms Baker.

The priorities set out in the four-year plan focus on:

• Enhancing ASCA’s value for members„

• Strengthening ASCA’s governance and capabilities

• Increasing ASCA’s influence

• Advancing smart tech knowledge and policy

The Strategic Plan also accounts for the rapid development of digital technology and provides an implementation plan to ensure all community groups can be involved, participate, and receive digital equity so that no one misses out on the benefits of smart technology.

The ASCA team will be launching more communications, community-building events, and partnerships to drive this plan forward in the coming months.

The full Strategic Plan and implementation commitment are accessible on the ASCA website:

https://www.australiansmartcommunities.org.au/strategic-plan