TED prize 2012: the city 2.0

the 2012 TED prize was awarded to the idea of ‘the city 2.0’

on december 8th we announced that the 2012 TED prize was awarded to the idea of ‘the city 2.0’, marking the first time in the history of its existence that the award was given to a concept rather than an individual. the annual TED prize includes 100,000 USD and the granting of ‘one wish to change the world’.

the winning vision was just unveiled last night, february 29th, in california. the action plan towards progressing the ‘city 2.0’ begins with a website, thecity2.org, where users can propose project ideas and connect with others in their area to improve quality of life. the site is designed to help individuals and companies pool resources and knowledge to actualize their projects. in addition to encouraging grassroots campaigns, the website provides a means of distributing the prize money, as globally ten proposed ideas will each be awarded 10,000 USD towards their completion.

read the city 2.0’s ‘wish to change the world’ below, or read more about the TED ‘city 2.0’ action plan

the city speaks, announcing its ‘one wish to change the world’

I am the crucible of the future. I am where humanity will either flourish or fade. I am being built and rebuilt every day. I am inevitable. but I am not yet determined. I wish to be inclusive, innovative, healthy, soulful, thriving. but my potential can only be reached through you.

you can forge a new urban outlook. begin by connecting. imagine a platform that brings you together, locally and globally. combine the reach of the cloud with the power of the crowd. connect leaders, experts, companies, organizations and citizens. share your tools, data, designs, successes, and ideas. turn them into action.

together you can:

    bridge the gap between poor and rich communities.     spectacularly reduce your carbon footprint.     make nature part of daily life.     empower entrepreneurship.     re-imagine education.     nurture health.

I am the city 2.0. dream me. build me. make me real.