Published on 29.10.2024
Written by FinEst Centre for Smart Cities
I’m Anneli Simm and I’m also a wife, mother, daughter, friend, and colleague. However, this time we will focus on my role as the Business Development Manager at the FinEst Centre for Smart Cities. Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to meet individuals who have inspired me and, often unknowingly, influenced my career path.
FinEst Centre has successfully implemented several exciting pilot projects and is continuously working on new ones. We are constantly developing novel solutions to make life in urban areas more sustainable and people friendly.
My role is to help these smart solutions to reach cities, municipalities, real estate companies and other possible partners, ensuring these research-based solutions reach a wider audience. Simply put, I work to get the solutions on the market and connect interested stakeholders.
Currently, I’m involved in the third and fourth rounds of the Smart City Challenge and I’m also supporting the preparation of a pilot project application. I’m particularly pleased that the issue of well-being is gaining attention at the Ministry of Climate Change, and that many cities and developers now consider the well-being of city dwellers a priority.
In November, I will face my first major positive challenge at the Smart City Expo World Congress presenting our solution on citizen well-being in urban environment.
Urbanisation, climate change, limited resources and the growing awareness of people are just a few keywords that cities are already facing. Therefore, the smart city is no longer a topic of the future, but a reality where cities operate on a daily basis. Already today, cities are focusing on a comprehensive solution combining technologies, sustainability and human centricity to create a living environment that is more resilient, efficient, and safer.
The development of smart cities is closely related to the green and digital revolution, which means the introduction of energy-efficient and environmentally friendly solutions as well as smart technologies.
As the implementer of smart pilot projects, FinEst Centre has had the opportunity to combine the cooperation of researchers and practitioners, as a result of which new technologies have already been developed and will continue to be developed in the future. It’s like building a bridge between scientists and the city of the future.
The focus continues to be on cooperation with the state, cities, and municipalities, which would be ready to implement the smart solutions developed during piloting. The interest of foreign countries in our services is high, and therefore the goal is to pilot some of our solutions internationally. Participation in international events is a good opportunity to introduce us and our solutions to the wider public even more actively. In addition to new and existing pilots, we have also focused on providing training, for which we are currently planning and developing relevant content.
I want to get everywhere and do everything I like. At the same time, life forces you to make choices, and that in itself is challenging. I love essentially all the fine arts, theater, cinema and exhibitions. When there’s not enough time to read a book on the sofa, an audio book comes to the rescue. I’m a saddler by training and I’m learning more about restoration. I love good wine and enjoy good food. So, I try to enjoy life, and I live by the motto: if you can’t avoid it, enjoy it.
Anneli is learning more about restorationIf you are interested to hear more about FinEst Centre’s smart city consultation and services, you’re welcome to reach out:
anneli.simm@taltech.ee
