Phoenix is one of three U.S. cities participating in the international Smart City App Hack Challenge. Developers and entrepreneurs will create mobile apps that offer solutions to common issues faced by major cities, such as urban mobility, energy and building the local economy.
Dominic Papa, an aide for Phoenix Councilman Bill Gates, is managing the contest and said the goal is to earn Phoenix recognition as a “smart city," which he said covers everything from technological leadership to environmental impact.
“Our mission now, especially as the city of Phoenix, is to leverage the city as a platform, to give them a voice into the international stage, because we really think that we are and we can and we will be the next tech sector, the next Silicon Valley," Papa said. "It’s just getting people from outside of Arizona to look at Phoenix.”
The top five app creators will be mentored by Arizona app creators and tech companies. The creator of the winning app will represent Phoenix at the 2015 international Smart City Expo in Barcelona in November.
The contest submission deadline is Aug. 1. Visit AZIDP.com for information.