Estee Chaikin

Sharing the new currency of meaning

Hi there, thanks you for stopping by. I love designing new services and disruptive business models. Originally from the USA, I am currently living in Amsterdam.

Smart Citizenship challenge

logoIn my second month of living in Amsterdam, I am riding the sustainability event coat tails. There is no shortage of places to learn, make and listen around this innovative city. I am especially hooked on The Waag Society and events at Pakhuis de Zwuijger. They are constantly thinking about changing peoples way of thinking towards a more sustainable future. (#minifistpump!)

So I found myself at an event about kickstarting smart citizenship at the Smart City Summit. I thought it would be worthwhile to understand what a smart citizen is and what initiatives are happening to curate this movement.

Smart citizenship gives access to anyone that wants to help understand the environment around them. What is the air quality today? Can I go for a swim in the canal tomorrow? How much noise pollution is created on my street compared with my neighbours street?

There is a smart citizen kit to help any tech or non-tech person become a bit more informed and change their behaviour because of it. I think the tech bit is great! There is a portal to locate and track sensors and the data they are collecting mostly focused on air quality.

The biggest discussion during the event arose really after the hey-roo of the exciting tech talk of what innovative projects are happening (check out my personal fav – tree wifi).

Now the real challenge is getting people to interpret the data from any smart citizen kit they build in a way in order to help make better decisions on living their everyday life; how to get from point A to point B, what to consume and when, where to get wifi, etc. That was when I had my dejavu moment: Behaviour change is still the number one challenge of smart citizenship. Yes, its good to be informed, but what next? This is where the Waag Society that started the smart citizen lab in Amsterdam leaves it open for interpretation (really down to legal reasons).

Overall, I like learning about this new phrase and the thinking/doing behind it. Its at least a ‘door opener’ to society to make and experiment in order to get a better grasp at how the environment is changing. However, I still think it comes down to a smart transaction. One where for the exchange of money has dual purpose: is allowing someone to consume a product/service and is also benefiting society or the environment at the same time. The future needs to be designed this way.  I await to see the day when EVERY PRODUCT OR SERVICE you consume has integrated a mutual incentive for both you and the company supply chain you are buying from.

The Archive

  1. 2020August
  2. 40 most relevant life learnings
  3. January
  4. My learnings in 2019: Time to create a more impactful road ahead
  5. 2019April
  6. When passion meets purpose: How my professional leaps got me to where I am today
  7. 2018February
  8. The hidden talent of a global citizen: Cultural intelligence
  9. 2016December
  10. Yes, yes, yes.
  11. June

  12. Smart Citizenship challenge

  13. May
  14. Lost in translation..perhaps?
  15. April
  16. The future human
  17. January
  18. Big.Energy.Data.Marriage
  19. 2015December
  20. Eye spy…the wanderlust trend
  21. May
  22. THE Biggest Barrier
  23. January
  24. Luffa: On the Sustainability Materials Radar
  25. 2014June
  26. Is it really about understanding evolution?
  27. Making solar mainstream
  28. March
  29. Earth Hour…say what?
  30. Recipe for Driving Sustainable Behaviour Change
  31. Turn the page
  32. 2013October
  33. London Sustainability Jam…nearly 1 month away
  34. August
  35. Proud to be 33!
  36. April
  37. Get up and create something
  38. March
  39. London Service Jam …what makes it special?
  40. January
  41. The future…
  42. Sharing is caring…right?
  43. 6 daily rules to reach your potential
  44. 2012December
  45. Our next raison d’etre…
  46. October
  47. When do you invent?
  48. July
  49. The importance of connection
  50. May
  51. What’s your little red paperclip?
  52. February
  53. The future of community energy
  54. January
  55. Iteration is a Lifestyle
  56. Believe in the drift
  57. Trend-oids
  58. 2012 Vow: Live in the ‘Wow’
  59. 2011September
  60. Lisa Frost.
  61. August
  62. The “Me-Too” Attitude
  63. May
  64. Intro to Paris: For newbie’s
  65. An idea…
  66. February
  67. Random acts of Thank You…like ya mean it!
  68. 2010December
  69. Time to put up and shut up. Bring it, 2011
  70. November
  71. Creating Change…
  72. Air BnB at Startup School
  73. October
  74. Work: A new found freedom
  75. January
  76. Free Events in London. Bliss.
  77. 2009December
  78. Get Excited and Make Things
  79. Internet Stats Galore – Just one Day
  80. November
  81. Giving Thanks Tribute
  82. Let’s combine global tastes for COP15
  83. Future of Green
  84. October
  85. 365 Ways to Change the World – Post for 31 October
  86. For all confused on the term social business and sustainability
  87. August
  88. Yes Please. Me likes these.
  89. July
  90. Co-Creation of Value = Necessary Change
  91. Interested in starting social change?
  92. June
  93. The Becoming of a Design Society: A New American Renaissance
  94. Best in Show – KitKatt Nohr Photo Competition
  95. May
  96. Great Solution for Closed Loop Recycling
  97. Re-think Play
  98. March
  99. Simple
  100. February
  101. MakeMeSustainable
  102. January
  103. Personal Dream Box
  104. 2008December
  105. Dream Box
  106. September
  107. Fresh ideas. Welcome.