Press Release

New British Smart Cities Specification Uses OASIS Transformational Government Framework

26 February 2014 – BSI (British Standards Institution) today announced its first Smart Cities standard (PAS 181), which builds on the OASIS Transformational Government Framework (TGF). Sponsored by the U.K. Department for Business Innovation and Skills, the BSI Smart Cities Initiative establishes a good practice framework for leaders to develop, agree on, and deliver strategies that can transform their city’s ability to meet future challenges. Developed by members of the OASIS international standards consortium, TGF provides an overall framework for using information technology to improve the delivery of public services.

“Smart Cities need Standards. The UK leads the world in shaping business standards,” said Scott Steedman Director of Standards at BSI. “If we are to make the most of the global opportunities from smart cities, we need to work fast to structure the knowledge that can help city leaders, communities, innovators and technology providers recognize what good looks like and how these concepts can bring benefits for all. I’m delighted that the UK is the first country to publish a set of standards that will help us navigate the governance and leadership challenges that smart technologies bring for cities everywhere.”

Unlike e-Government strategies of the past, the OASIS Transformational Government Framework begins with citizen engagement to assure greater use and return on investment. In addition to defining the framework, TGF identifies use cases and provides adoption guidance for governments around the world, regardless of their history in implementing eGov.

“We are pleased that Britain’s Smart Cities standard draws on TGF, and we look forward to working with BSI on other aspects of their Smart Cities strategy,” said Chris Parker of CS Transform, who represents the OASIS TGF Technical Committee on the BSI Smart Cities working group and is the Technical Author of BSI’s new Smart City Framework.

Additional information

BSI Standard for Smart Cities (PAS 181)

OASIS TGF Technical Committee

About OASIS

OASIS is a not-for-profit, international consortium that drives the development, convergence and adoption of open standards for the global information society. OASIS promotes industry consensus and produces worldwide standards for security, privacy, cloud computing, content technologies, business transactions, energy, emergency management, and other areas. OASIS open standards offer the potential to lower cost, stimulate innovation, grow global markets, and protect the right of free choice of technology. OASIS members broadly represent the marketplace of public and private sector technology leaders, users, and influencers. The consortium has more than 5,000 participants representing over 600 organizations and individual members in 100 countries.

Press contact: Carol Geyer, OASIS Senior Director, Communications carol.geyer@oasis-open.org +1.941.284.0403