2. LONDON
London is the greatest city on
earth. A world centre of commerce and a global
cultural hot spot – London is diverse, connected,
international and cosmopolitan. Its dynamic
economy - with renowned specialisms in creativity
and design, science and technology, banking and
finance - offers the most competitive and productive
business environment in Europe. With 45 higher
education institutions London is a centre of
knowledge production, invention and
entrepreneurship. London has more tech start-ups
than any other European city, is a world leader in
healthcare delivery for its citizens, and in
diagnosing, discovering and providing treatments to
tackle the pressing needs of global cities.
3. PRAGUE
Prague is undoubtedly one of the important European metropolises. In
regard to the SMART City concept, the following key characteristics are
relevant for Prague:
1. Prague is one of the most advanced and most competitive cities in the EU
2. Prague is an important centre of culture and arts and the city centre is
inscribed on the
UNESCO World Heritage List, which makes it one of the most popular tourist
destinations
in the EU
3. In the past, Prague has implemented a number of projects, which
strengthened its position
in all the six dimensions of SMART City (as defined by Giffiger et al. 200710)
Ad 1) According to the European Commission study (2007)11, Prague is
classified as a re-invented
capital. Such city is characterized by its above-average economic
performance, high growth of GDP
and added value, and by its significant share on the economic development
and competitiveness of
the whole country
4. AMSTERDAM
Amsterdam is one of the greatest small cities in the
world. From Amsterdam canals to world-famous
Amsterdam museums and historical Amsterdam
sights, it is one of the most romantic and beautiful
cities in Europe. Canal cruises are a popular way to
see the city from the perspective of its canals.
Amsterdam is also a city of tolerance and diversity.
It has all the advantages of a big city: rich culture,
lively Amsterdam nightlife, international restaurants,
good transport - but is quiet, and largely thanks to
its extensive canals, has a little road traffic. In this
city your destination is never far away, but get a
bike for an authentic local experience.
