The City of Casey's Digital Equity Living Lab (DELL) program recently won the award in the Foreign City category at the prestigious World Smart City Expo (WSCE) Awards.
Held in Korea in September, WSCE is the largest smart city event in the Asia-Pacific region, and is globally recognised as a leading expo representing the smart city industry.
The Digital Equity Living Lab program aimed to increase access, affordability, and digital ability for Doveton residents. The program involved deploying a range of trials with partners, in collaboration with the community, including technology expos, solar-powered smart benches, and WiFi-enabled bus shelters.
City of Casey CEO Glenn Patterson was presented with the award by the Consul General of the Republic of Korea, Mr Changhoon Yi at a special ceremony at Bunjil Place on Tuesday 28 November.
Mr Patterson thanked Mr Yi and his staff from the Consul General office for organising the award to be delivered to Casey.
"We truly appreciate the effort you have made in bringing the award to us from its original destination - eight and a half thousand kilometres away," he said.
"I am delighted to see Council's leadership in facilitating a program that drives innovation and positive change across our community.
"Over the past three years, we have seen how important technology, innovation, and data management are in overcoming the challenges of the modern world. It is critical that the community of Casey has access to these tools, and the knowledge necessary to use them."
Mr Patterson said by creating the Digital Equity Living Lab program, Council aimed to ensure those most susceptible to digital exclusion were provided with a toolkit to live comfortably and confidently in the modern world, whilst fostering collaborative partnerships, innovation, and economic growth.
"The DELL program has been a resounding success, showing that the City of Casey is a forward-thinking community that embraces collaboration and digital technologies," he said.
