Communities of Tomorrow is focused on the needs of Saskatchewan municipalities, as the front-line builders and operators of infrastructure systems. Our work is dedicated to finding innovative and sustainable municipal infrastructure products and services that will provide these outcomes:

 

• Lower ongoing operating costs
• Longer system life
• Reduced maintenance
• Reduced environmental impact

 

Communities of Tomorrow has been building a network of companies and researchers working in the field of innovative municipal infrastructure, and we want to connect that network with your municipality’s needs and priorities. Some municipalities may also be willing to make their infrastructure systems available for field-testing the innovative products and services of these companies and researchers.

In order to foster co-operation and support, we have begun work on a Municipal Innovation Network in Saskatchewan. This network will provide a common ground for all municipalities to share municipal infrastructure needs, problems, innovative approaches, and possible solutions.

Our staff have conducted personal interviews with the administrations of Saskatchewan’s cities, which resulted in a greater understanding of the needs and challenges of these communities. We have also followed up to assist the cities in developing their own cultures of innovation, by providing facilitation and agenda development for “insighting sessions”, during which municipal staffs are encouraged to think and talk freely about their infrastructure systems and operations.

Eight host municipalities recently held insighting sessions allowing municipal practitioners an opportunity to step away from their regular duties for some critical analysis of the causes and effects of specific infrastructure problems and to engage in creative thinking and group discussions of possible solutions to those problems. The sessions also stimulated participants’ interest in looking to other municipalities for information and advice on best practices. Read the detailed report of the Innovation Network's insighting session findings here!

Communities of Tomorrow is engaged in ongoing discussions with other organizations as well to further target the needs of municipalities.

To view a graphic representation of the Municipal Innovation Network, click here.

For more information, contact us.