By Anne Craig, Communications Officer

With a focus on research and innovation at its post-secondary institutions, Kingston has been named one of the Top7 Intelligent Communities of 2014. The Limestone City, selected for the first time, was one of only three Canadian cities recognized at the Intelligent Community Forum. Listed as a top-10 research institution in 2013 by Re$earch Infosource, Queen’s is known for its innovative approach to research.

“Queen’s is working with all sectors of the Kingston community to build an economy based on innovation with a focus on sustainability,” says Steven Liss, Vice-Principal (Research). “Institutions like Innovation Park keep us at the forefront of new academic research, and PARTEQ helps us to identify intellectual property and support its commercialization.”

Innovation drivers, such as the High Performance Computing Virtual Laboratory, Innovation Park at Queen’s, GreenCentre Canada, and the leadership of the City in launching Sustainable Kingston were featured in the application to the Intelligent Communities Forum.

To qualify to become a Top7 Intelligent Community, the cities and region were first selected as a Smart21 community from hundreds of communities around the world. Candidates were assessed on five indicators: broadband connectivity, knowledge workforce, innovation, digital inclusion and marketing and advocacy.

The Intelligent Community Forum Awards Program concludes in June in New York City with the naming of the 2014 Intelligent Community of the Year.