Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
CENTURY CITY’S SMART MOVE
“BEING a Smart City is not something we aspire to. It is what we are. We are a living Smart City with a proven track record of innovation spanning two decades.” This, says Chris Blackshaw, chief executive of Century City Property Owners’ Association (CCPOA), is the force behind Century City’s growth into a multi-generational precinct and evidence of the association’s successful management of it.
The precinct – which has 21 million visitors a year, more than 4000 front doors and an estimated 12000 residents – includes five hotels; the Century City Conference Centre; a Curro junior and senior school; two Educare centres and the Oasis Luxury Retirement Resort and Oasis Care Centre for the frail and elderly. In addition, 454250m² of commercial space and 212 000m² of retail space is owned by several landlords and either owner-occupied or rented out, resulting in more than 700 businesses who employ thousands.
Being a Smart City, explains Blackshaw, is the culmination of all the best practices that the CCPOA activates and adheres to daily, some of which have been in place since inception.
“Announcing that Century City is already a Smart City across various segments and is continuously working towards improving and innovating on these segments and adding more, aims to raise awareness of what is on offer in the precinct for businesses, residents and visitors. It also establishes itself as the country’s first implemented Smart City.
“Whereas intent has been announced and plans are being put in place in other areas and estates, Century City has a proven track record of successfully practising expertise and innovation across the Smart City segments we have identified.”
Century City’s philosophy is to integrate and ingrain Smart City practices through encouraging all stakeholders – from landowners and the developer to residents and external role players such as service providers – to be active participants in not only the achievement of being a Smart City but the goal of transforming it into a Future City. This entails stakeholders aligning the way they approach, activate, invest and action their unique positions within Century City.
Blackshaw explains Century City implements this philosophy through five key Smart City Segments, including:
ÎSmart Urban Precinct Management.
ÎSmart Environmental Sustainability.
ÎSmart Community.
ÎSmart Connectivity and Communication. ÎSmart Safety and Security.
“Over the coming months, we will focus on each of these segments showing how Century
City implements its Smart City practices across the board. We will be expanding in detail on vital aspects, such as our open-access fibre network that’s been in place across the precinct for a decade, the fact that we have been using treated effluent for irrigation and toilets since inception, and that we have a spectacular nature reserve, Intaka Island, within the precinct. We will also reveal the innovative ways we are conserving and educating our community on environmental sustainability.”
A free Century City app, which forms part of the “Smart Community” segment, has been made available for Android and Apple devices.
“Our custom-designed app plugs into our community by giving access to the latest happenings in Century City,” Blackshaw says, adding: “It’s also a platform for businesses within the precinct to connect with our community and vice versa, including a full business directory.”
The app also allows users to check live traffic camera footage that updates every minute, and report maintenance and infrastructure faults directly to the Security Operations Centre (SOC). Another handy function is users can make direct calls to the SOC in the case of an emergency.
“We believe that Century City plays a significant role in the greater Cape Town area, not only in terms of creating a desirable and safe precinct to live, work, shop and leisure, but serving as an important tourist destination. With a thriving community, beautiful green spaces, and a growing Art Trail, all woven together and interlinked with technology, we invite you to live and experience our Smart City.”