New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) in partnership with the City of Newark and Invest Newark engaged Econsult Solutions to craft a connected city plan for Newark, New Jersey. By becoming a connected city, Newark can leverage smart technologies to further interconnect the local government and its citizens. The Connected Newark plan serves as a framework for future policy and investment as Newark progressed along its connected city journey.

Newark is seeking to achieve economic, environmental, and social sustainability. With the growth of urbanization, cities are struggling to balance growing populations, increases in expenditures, shrinking housing supplies, depreciating infrastructure, and environmental concerns while competing with other cities to secure investments, jobs, and talent. Now more than ever, cities must turn to rapidly improving technologies to implement the best solutions for their residents.

The Strategic Plan for Newark's Connected City Future prioritizes opportunities as well as highlights best practices, and defines implementation steps to help Newark realize its full technological potential. The plan reflects the values of Newark and their alignment with Mayor Baraka's strategic goals for the city. The strategic plan provided a business case for adapting connected cities strategies through smart technologies to help shape the future of Newark.

ESI compiled information and then undertook a SWOT analysis and a review of COVID responses undertaken by the city. Those then informed a four-part plan for future City action. Download the report.