AU Smart Cities (AUSC) is a platform that spans all main areas at Aarhus University.
Structured around research activities, AUSC allows the university as a whole to better engage with society and be visible in the broad field that is associated with the societal challenges and opportunities of digital urban living.
While the university has many initiatives that can be characterized as contributing to the field of smart cities, AUSC is not an alternative to these, but rather a forum where these already existing efforts can meet and be strengthened, as well as foster new approaches.
Smart cities as a field challenges the sector-based thinking that has shaped modern planning and development. With perspectives ranging from energy to culture, from business to health, from media to architecture, it is a truly interdisciplinary domain requiring the comprehensive efforts of a broad university to understand.
The term "city" is taken very general, since urban development is often seen as a precursor for or structuring force in larger dynamics of culture and planning.
"Smart" is a broad, somewhat ill-defined term which refers to some social and technological qualities of the phenomena and systems we work with.
The main purpose of AUSC is to contribute to the university's efforts within research, education and policy development. It does so first of all by developing partnerships – both locally, nationally, at the EU-level and internationally – and by making them and their resources available to the entire university.
The platform have two academic coordinators and a steering committe. Get in touch if you want to get involved or know more.
Contact:
