Smart Cities to Become Mainstream Not too long ago, the concept of smart cities was a little blurry and mysterious, with dozens of different definitions and interpretations but very little literature, case studies or actionable frameworks that could provide a clear roadmap for those intrigued by the vision but concerned by its applicability and feasibility. Today, there is a consensus on the urgent need for municipalities and regions to become smarter and more efficient in the way they manage resources, provide services to their constituents, solve urban problems, and plan for the near and long-term future. Even though the dialogue around smart cities still goes in multiple directions and keeps growing in intensity and complexity, it now looks more focused on common themes such as livability, sustainability and resilience that aim to improve quality of life and overcome pressing challenges affecting communities. We have also started to see more mature implementation models, standards and guidelines from industry, government and academia, as well as hundreds of success stories from around the world, with results and benefits that are evident and have gained support from citizens and city leaders. At the same time, we have also seen the emergence of a robust and dynamic technology market around smart cities that has permeated all sectors, powered by the same exponential trends of the fourth industrial revolution that are transforming manufacturing, supply chain, and the consumer market. Adoption of cloud computing, internet of things, blockchain, big data, artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics and automation, are not uncommon nowadays in the public sector, with diverse applications that include transportation, public safety,enterprise systems, infrastructure management, and a variety of citizen services. Our strategic plan has focused on improving quality of life and customer service, starting with citywide process improvement and quality engineering programs that streamline workflows