The Smart Community Podcast

In this episode of the Smart City Podcast I spoke with robotics and artificial intelligence guru, Michael Milford. Michael is a professor at QUT and has his own start up, Math Thrills. We talk about some of the cool stuff that he's working on at the moment and different aspects of autonomous vehicles and AI (artificial intelligence.) We also have a great discussion about keeping and attracting local talent, and a pleasantly unexpected conversation about the importance of diversity in the tech space. I really enjoyed this Friday afternoon chat and I hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as I enjoyed making it.

Connect with Michael through QUT, via email [email protected] or Twitter @maththrillsFind the full show notes: thesmartcitypodcast.com

Connect with me via email: [email protected]

Connect via Twitter and Facebook @smartcitypod

In this episode of The Smart City Podcast, I interviewed fellow podcaster and construction professional and enthusiast Brittanie Campbell-Turner. Brittanie hosts the Constructrr podcast and is currently in her second season which is talking about Blockchain in Construction. Brittanie and I deep dive into how technology can be used to improve processes within the construction industry but also how important it is to not lose sight of how the people involved can be affected. We talk about blockchain, 3D manufacturing, virtual and augmented reality and Building Information Modelling (BIM). BIM for those who don't know is basically 3D modelling but with so much more detail about the components of the structure or infrastructure that can be utilised in asset management, quality assurance, community consultation and the full life cycle of that product, amongst many other things. It was so great to talk with Brittanie and I look forward to collaborating in the future.

Find the full show notes: thesmartcitypodcast.com 

Connect with Brittanie via the Constructrr Podcast, LinkedIn, Twitter @brittanie_ct or via email [email protected]

Connect with me via email: [email protected]

Connect via Twitter and Facebook @smartcitypod

In this episode of the Smart City Podcast, I interviewed Roxann Griffith. Roxann loves to help people which makes her perfect for her role as the Regional Veterans' Employment Coordinator with the US Department of Labor. Roxann talks passionately about the apprenticeship program she is involved in and how it fits into the smart city space. We also talk about the importance of workforce diversity and the future of work. Roxann presented at the IEEE GreenTech conference in early April so we talk a bit about that as well. It was really great to talk to Roxann as it she brought a difference perspective to the Smart Cities space.

Find the full show notes: thesmartcitypodcast.com 

You can connect with Roxann via LinkedIn and on email [email protected]

Connect with me via email: [email protected] 

Connect via Twitter and Facebook @smartcitypod

In this episode of The Smart City Podcast, I interviewed social scientist and design researcher Laura Forlano. Laura and I had a really great discussion about the socio-technical aspects of design and how humans and machines come together. Laura talks about a number of her projects ranging from driverless technology to reimagining work and going back in history to think about technology. She is also very passionate about the active engagement of citizens and rethinking that way we do this engagement through design. We also discuss about the differences in the imagined futures of technology verses the reality.

Find the full show notes: thesmartcitypodcast.com 

Connect with Laura at lauraforano.org or via Twitter @laura4lano

Connect with me via email: [email protected] 

Connect via Twitter and Facebook @smartcitypod

In the episode of the Smart City Podcast, I interviewed the New Zealand Co-ordinator of SCCei and community focused advocate Julia Hamilton. Julia is a Strategic Projects Advisor for Wellington City Council in NZ and is doing some really exciting stuff. I'll start by saying that everything we discuss is personal opinion only and does not represent the companies we work for or is not associated with the companies in any way. Julia is particularly interested in using technology to support and enhance social outcomes. She talks about some of the projects she is working on and how Smart City tech can be used in planning non-ticketed events and is being used to in emergency response situation to achieve better outcomes. NZ is part of the Digital 5 (I think now is the Digital 7) which is a network of leading digital governments focused on improving the digital economy. Julia also shares insight into the value of collaboration, responsive cities and breaking down accessibility barrier to allow citizens to bring in new information for decision making.

Connect with Julia via LinkedIn or email [email protected]

Disclaimer: Everything discussed is personal opinion only and does not represent the companies we work for or associated in any way with these companies.

Find the full show notes: thesmartcitypodcast.com 

Connect with me via email: [email protected] 

Connect via Twitter and Facebook @smartcitypod

In this episode of The Smart City Podcast, I had a fantastic conversation with minimalist, writer, podcast host, blogger, speaker and full time traveller Colin Wright. We discussed the linkages between minimalism and Smart Cities and how people-scale cities make for happier places and reduce under-utilised time. We also discussed a number of different technologies and dive deep into using science fiction as a means to think about the possible societal impacts some technologies. This was a supposed to be a bit of a different episode for you, mixing it up because Smart Cities really touches on so many aspects so I hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as I enjoyed making it.

Connect with Colin via email or Twitter, Instagram, Facebook @colinismyname and listen to his podcast, Let's Know Things.

Find the full show notes: thesmartcitypodcast.com 

Connect with me via email: [email protected] 

Connect via Twitter and Facebook @smartcitypod

In this episode of The Smart City Podcast, I interviewed NSW coordinator of the Smart Cities Council Emerging Innovators (SCCei) and people focused planner Marika Svikis. I'll start by saying that everything we discuss is personal opinion only and does not represent the companies we work for or is not associated with the companies in any way. Marika is very interested in harnessing big data to better inform design and using how people feel in a city as a metric of success. For example how happy people feel rather than just how efficiently things are running.  We also discussed how the SCCei came to be and the importance of getting young professionals involved. Marika believes that leadership in this space starts with education and that we can't keep using traditional ways of thinking and working to deliver effective smart cities. She flips the emerging trends questions around on me so you'll get to hear what I think.

Disclaimer: Everything discussed is personal opinion only and does not represent the companies we work for or associated in any way with these companies.

Find the full show notes: thesmartcitypodcast.com 

You can connect with Marika on LinkedIn or via email [email protected]

You can connect with me on Twitter and Facebook @smartcitypod and email: [email protected]

In this episode of The Smart City Podcast, I had a great chat with Place Maker Kylie Legge. Kylie is the founder of Place Score, we discuss how Place Score aims to positively change the way engagement with the community happens and change the way data is collected and stored in order to be used effectively used across multiple projects. Kylie and I discuss the need to think more holistically about assets and sharing the space we have, as well as how young people show up in the data and the smart city space. Kylie offers some great insights into thinking about how smart cities should focus on health and wellbeing and a systems approach to community making. We also touch on the importance of awareness into the impacts technology can have on a place so we can shape the outcomes positively.

Disclaimer: Everything discussed is personal opinion only and does not represent the companies we work for or associated in any way with these companies.

Find the full show notes: thesmartcitypodcast.com 

You can connect with Kylie Legge on LinkedIn and Twitter @place_score or via email [email protected]

You can connect with me on Twitter and Facebook @smartcitypod and email: [email protected]​

In this episode of the Smart City Podcast, I interviewed Town Planner and Smart City Entrepreneur, Nick Kamols.  Nick was calling up from Indonesia, where he spent a month with his startup, PowerWells. PowerWells aim is to provide basic access to electricity to remote areas in Indonesia, and is using e-waste to set up small-scale energy supply systems. Thanks to a Kickstarter campaign, PowerWells will be able to install 120 of these units in a sustainable way. Nick is a fellow member of the Smart Cities Council Emerging Innovators, and is doing some really cool stuff in this space. In this episode, we also talk a little bit about drones and powering on with innovation. 

Disclaimer: Everything discussed is personal opinion only and does not represent the companies we work for or associated in any way with these companies.

Find the full show notes: thesmartcitypodcast.com 

Connect with Nick via email: [email protected]

Connect with the Smart Cities Council Emerging Innovators on Twitter @scc_innovators or via email: [email protected] 

Connect with me via email: [email protected] 

Connect via Twitter and Facebook @smartcitypod

In this episode of the Smart City Podcast, I had an early start to have a great discussion with the Director of Sustainability of the City of Orlando, Chris Castro. Chris and I really just scratched the surface on a number of projects that the city of Orlando is currently undertaking ranging from floating solar, connected and automated vehicles, solid waste and public safety. We also talk about Orlando culture of innovation and how the city is pioneering in the smart city space. Chris is particularly interested in how technology can play a role in accelerating a more sustainable future.

Disclaimer: Everything discussed is personal opinion only and does not represent the companies we work for or associated in any way with these companies.

You can connect with Chris on LinkedIn

Find the full show notes: thesmartcitypodcast.com 

Connect with me via email: [email protected] 

Connect via Twitter and Facebook @smartcitypod