Innovative, technology-driven communities are being designed and constructed for the next generation-and beyond. Although each of them is uniquely planned, experts say the central theme of connectivity is the key to turning concepts into reality. "While the term 'smart city' has been out in the general public for about a decade, if you poll people, everyone has a different definition," says Marty Skolnick, account manager for intelligently integrated development with Siemens. The firm is the technology partner helping to build Sterling Ranch, a master-planned smart community southwest of Denver. Acknowledging that the term is nebulous, Skolnick says, "Fundamentally, it can't be smart unless it's connected," referring to the underlying infrastructure that allows technology to do its job.
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