In this project, LightHouse supported the cooperation in the region two-folded.
Firstly, together with the stakeholders in the region and beyond, we co-created a strategic plan and setup for an Urban Development Institute to enable the region to remain among the world's top 'smartest regions'.
Secondly, TU/e aims to provide a major contribution with technology and knowledge, through a TU/e Smart City Research Programme that combines all the relevant research activities throughout TU/e.

To address the challenges effectively and create a strong position to grasp opportunities, the city of Eindhoven, TU/e and city of Helmond initiate the Urban Development Institute (UDI)*. The UDI brings together existing partners and partnerships to form structural collaborations with a view to assemble the required knowledge, expertise and resources and professionalise the innovation processes and infrastructure to achieve a future proof urban development. The UDI will strengthen the implementation power and improve the access to funding schemes to accelerate realisation by building on the strategic potential of projects and competencies. The UDI will be a catalyst on local and regional scale, with impact on European and global level through a worldwide network with leading innovation ecosystems.

LightHouse is currently member of the strategic advisory team of UDI.

The Smart Cities Programme brings together the strengths and potential of TU/e expertise across faculties, into an underlying, multidisciplinary research programme that generates the required knowledge to face the challenges of contemporary cities. Then we can create solutions that make a real impact on the lives of large numbers of people.

SCP/e focusses on 6 research lines:
Three application areas are identified where cities face serious challenges in the transition of becoming a smart city. Disruptive technologies that come available will fundamentally change the way we live, work, move or recreate in cities. The coming years city life will be reshaped in the areas of:

• Smart Buildings and Hybrid Energy Systems
  Aims to provide an attractive and healthy built environment for citizens, including the use of (sustainable) energy and the (open) access to a hybrid energy system.
• Smart Mobility: moving people and goods
  Aims for mobility and logistic systems in urban areas from peoples perspective, including greener, more inclusive, safer and smarter solutions.
• Smart Urban Space: healthy environments
  Aims for pleasant, multi-functional and safe urban environments with engaged citizens , integrating all functions to improve quality of life.

Three aspects are major influences on the application areas: data, people and innovation ecosystems. Data plays a vital role in the transition towards a Smart City. To really become a Smart Society, we need to put citizens at centre stage and to truly empower people. Innovation ecosystems facilitate sustainable innovation by actively involving people in the ecosystem to jointly create and learn and setting the conditions for the creation of new business and the replication of good practices.

• Urban data & Data platform
  Aims to ensure that data infrastructure and governance can keep up with the increasing volume of urban data traffic.
• Smart Societies
  Aims the development of a vibrant, networked city, including participative and responsible citizens and strong social networks.
• Innovation Ecosystems
  Aims for the orchestration of innovation by organising the collaboration in the Quadruple Helix structure (citizens, industry, knowledge institutions and municipalities).

LightHouse is currently connected to the SCP/e as strategic adviser for future.

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For more information on our approach to 'Researching Smart Lighting', please download our brochure:
  TUe LightHouse - Onderzoek Innovatieve Lichtoplossingen