Hello,

I am very excited to welcome you to the secondannual edition of Smart City Miami Magazine, which features articles from the 52 speakers who presented at the Smart City Miami Expo 2022. These smart city “disruptors” joined the conference both virtually and in person to share their expertise in subjects related to smart cities, climate action, sustainable growth, resilient infrastructure, transportation and mobility, quality of life, inclusive and sharing practices, and bringing communities together at the city level. Although the presenters came from all parts of the world and had all different backgrounds—government leaders, public sector employees, startup founders, corporate executives, nonprofit heads, and academics—they were united under one overarching theme: Sustainable Is the New Smart.

Putting together this magazine for the second year made me increasingly aware that what makes a city smart goes beyond just having the latest and greatest technology. It’s about utilizing this technology in ways that will benefit and improve the lives of people who live in these cities. It’s not about understanding the ins and outs of the metaverse or artificial intelligence; it’s about being open to the possibilities these technologies bring us and using common-sense methods to apply them to real-world solutions.

I was also reminded that, with the effects of climate change becoming more of a reality, we can’t wait for the government to take care of things. We all need to work together—small business owners, large corporations, urban planners, engineers, scientists, and everyday citizens—to be active participants in our cities if we want them to survive and thrive. This means getting involved with local organizations, volunteering, educating ourselves about important issues, advocating for equality, and thinking outside the box to imagine what could be possible.

I hope this magazine lets you see your city—and cities around the world— through a new lens and inspires you to take action wherever possible to ensure these cities are habitable for years, decades, and centuries to come!

Sherri Balefsky Hanson Editor & Creative Director Smart City Miami Magazine