Russia–France
The focus on digitalizing urban environments has long been under way in the world’s major cities: Paris, Shanghai, Moscow, and Dubai are all home to ‘smart’ car parks, lighting and video surveillance systems, and rubbish collection. All of this helps to make city life better and safer. Using new ‘smart’ tools means reducing average travel time, greenhouse gases and even mortality rates. According to forecasts by analysts, the potential for businesses stemming from the development of ‘smart cities’ will be valued at over USD 2 trillion by 2025. And as a result of the digitalization of the economy, Russia’s GDP may increase by 19 to 34%. Nowadays, intelligent systems are not just for big cities. The ‘smart city’ project – part of the national project entitled ‘Housing and the urban environment’ and the national programme entitled ‘The digital economy of the Russian Federation’ – has covered 209 cities and administrative centres with a population of more than 100,000 people. Russian and French companies are preparing to implement joint projects in this area. How is industrial transformation changing our cities and homes, and improving every aspect of our lives, from our health to living and working conditions? How can we ensure that the commercialization of innovative solutions is designed to bring benefits for society above all else? How can we make our cities energy secure, thus promoting sustainable economic development? Can we improve quality of life while still achieving the production figures we need? Why is international cooperation in both countries so important to achieve state objectives and fulfil promises made to citizens in the sphere of industrial development?
