MY MEDALLION
Anyone who already lives in Durham knows that the municipality is ahead of the curve when it comes to technology. In 2021 the Intelligent Community Forum recognized Durham Region as one of the Smart21 Communities of the Year and last year it was named one of the top seven global Intelligent Communities of 2022 for its commitment to problem-solving through the use of smart technology, some examples of which we’ll explore here. Read on to learn more about how Durham Region is leading the way to a bright future by becoming a smart city.
myDurham 311
The myDurham 311 Smart Home Device Voice Service aims to make information about regional programs and services more accessible. This is a first-of-its-kind service to be offered in Canada and it was born out of the desire to improve the customer experience. Durham Region partnered with Qwhery to create this tool that allows residents to get the answers they need easily and conveniently through their own smart home devices. Now, whenever you need information about regional programs and services, you can just ask Alexa or Google. If you’re using Google, simply say, “Hey Google, talk to myDurham 311”; if using Alexa, enable the service in the Alexa app settings and say, “Alexa, open myDurham 311.”
CityStudio Durham
CityStudio Durham is a forward-thinking collaboration between three post-secondary institutions, eight local government municipalities, and the Durham Regional Police Service. It works by connecting these separate groups to solve real-world challenges. Municipal staff develop project ideas; project concepts are matched with academic institutions; and staff, students, and faculty work together to complete them. The projects are then shared with the wider community. One of their recent joint projects, for example, focused on improving children’s development and readiness for school. The CityStudio model was developed in Vancouver, just 10 metropolises in Canada currently exist, and Durham is the first regional municipality among them.
Smart Mobility
As anyone who lives in a busy and growing area knows, just getting around can sometimes be quite challenging. The Traffic Management Centre, part of Durham Region’s Smart Mobility efforts, aims to make that much easier by optimizing traffic flow and improving road safety for all. The hub receives data from every traffic signal and 150 cameras stationed at intersections (and other sources) that help monitor the flow of traffic, adjust the timing of traffic signals, and respond to incidents. This innovative system allows residents to get where they need to go safely and efficiently.
Durham Greener Homes
The Region recognizes the dangers posed by climate change and is working with its partners to try to make a difference. Through Durham Greener Homes, the Durham Home Energy Savings Program was developed, together with energy utilities, financial institutions, and municipal partners. Leveraging data from these partners, it created an engaging digital platform that helps residents discover opportunities to customize their energy savings. It even provides a Home Energy Coach service that can answer any questions you may have. The goal is to become a low-carbon Region and empower individual residents to help make that happen.
These are just some of the reasons why Durham Region deserves to be in the top 7 global Intelligent Communities and has a bright future as a smart city. Thanks for reading and don’t forget to follow the Medallion blog for more information about smart design and technology.
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