While Greece generally lags in some computer-friendly rankings, Heraklion of Crete has been named one of the 21 digital intelligent cities worldwide.
According to the Intelligence Community Forum (ICF) assessment which sets up in New York, the list includes only five European cities, among which, only Heraklion and Oulu, Finland, received the distinction for a second year in a row.
Heraklion was cited for its digital services variety, broadband provision as well as its educational and research institutions. The Smart21 announcement is the first stage in ICF’s annual Intelligent Community Awards cycle.
Based on nominations submitted by communities large and small from around the world, ICF selected the winners based on their potential to become one of the Forum’s Top Seven Intelligent Communities of the Year. Gaining a place among the year’s Smart21 is considered a badge of honor as well as the first step greater recognition as an Intelligent Community positioned to prosper in the broadband economy.
Each time the assessment is based on a different subject. This year’s subject was the relations between pioneering and occupation sectors. In the second stage of the assessment on January 2013, seven cities will be chosen as the smartest between the recent 21 and in June,, 2013, ICF will announce the winner.
According to ICF, Intelligent Communities are those which have whether through crisis or foresight come to understand the enormous challenges of the Broadband Economy, and have taken conscious steps to create an economy capable of prospering in it. They are not necessarily big cities or famous technology hubs. They are located in developing nations as well as industrialized ones, suburbs as well as cities, the hinterland as well as the coast.
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