How to be Smart(er) in Mid-Sized Cities in Ontario

It is increasingly clear that data and technology are becoming synonymous with city-building. This movement towards “smart cities” will continue to accelerate in the years to come, presenting a critical opportunity and challenge for leaders in communities of all sizes.

This paper discusses the opportunities for data and technology in Canada’s mid-sized cities, defined as urban areas with a population of 50,000 to 500,000 residents, with a particular focus on Ontario. The concentration on mid-sized cities is an effort to bring attention to the unique needs and challenges of this city type, which often get overlooked in mainstream conversations about cities, despite being home to more than a third of the country’s population. Written in partnership with Code for Canada, discusses the opportunities for data and technology in Canada’s mid-sized cities, with a particular focus on Ontario.

It is increasingly clear that data and technology are becoming synonymous with city-building. This movement towards “smart cities” will continue to accelerate in the years to come, presenting a critical opportunity and challenge for leaders in communities of all sizes. This paper discusses the opportunities for data and technology in Canada’s mid-sized cities, defined as urban areas with a population of 50,000 to 500,000 residents, with a particular focus on Ontario. The concentration on mid-sized cities is an effort to bring attention to the unique needs and challenges of this city type, which often get overlooked in mainstream conversations about cities, despite being home to more than a third of the country’s population.