Real Tomorrowland Comes to Orlando

Last week, networking infrastructure company Cisco announced that the Orlando community of Lake Nona will be the site of the first of the company's nine planned "Smart+Connected" cities, which will endeavor to "unify urban development and IT."

1 minute read

October 29, 2012, 2:00 PM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


In the shadow of Disney World's Tomorrowland attraction, which exhibits visions of a "future that never was," Cisco and Bahamas-based private investment firm Tavistock Group, will build their own vision for the integrated city of the future over the next fifteen years.

As Tim Conneally explains, "the Smart+Connected initiative
is Cisco's experiment with building the communications infrastructure
that connects all aspects of a community, from government to health care
to education to enterprise to home and beyond. More than simply a
communications ecosystem, the initiative is squarely focused on
preparing for the nascent "Internet of things" era."

"This means the project will touch on all of the community-focused
communications we've seen developing independently over the last decade:
wireless voice and data communications, fiber to the home networks,
digital signage, IP video surveillance, 'smart grid' energy management,
and more than 20 other 'smart services' across the entire Lake Nona
community."

Wednesday, October 24, 2012 in Beta News

View form second story inside Southdale Mall in Edina, Minnesota with escalators and model cars parked on downstairs floor.

The Mall Is Dead — Long Live the Mall

The American shopping mall may be closer to its original vision than ever.

March 21, 2024 - Governing

Houston, Texas skyline.

Report: Las Vegas, Houston Top List of Least Affordable Cities

The report assesses the availability of affordable rental units for low-income households.

March 22, 2024 - Urban Edge

View of Austin, Texas skyline with river in foreground during morning golden hour.

The Paradox of American Housing

How the tension between housing as an asset and as an essential good keeps the supply inadequate and costs high.

March 26, 2024 - The Atlantic

Aerial view of Anchorage, Alaska downtown with mountains in background at golden hour.

Anchorage Leaders Debate Zoning Reform Plan

Last year, the city produced the fewest new housing units in a decade.

1 hour ago - Anchorage Daily News

Young man in wheelchair crossing zebra crosswalk.

How to Protect Pedestrians With Disabilities

Public agencies don’t track traffic deaths and injuries involving disabled people, leaving a gap in data to guide safety interventions.

2 hours ago - Governing

Aerial view of mountain town of Steamboat Springs, Colorado in the winter with snow at dusk.

Colorado Town Fills Workforce Housing Need With ‘Dorm-Style’ Housing

Median rent in Steamboat Springs is $4,000 per month.

3 hours ago - CBS News

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.