The last, but not the final, example of the application of smart home solutions is in helping to recreate communities.

This has the potential to counter the rise in social problems in deprived and inner-city areas.

A community-based intranet can not only enable delivery of healthcare and education, but also local interest services, allowing residents to communicate with each other.

This may foster the regrowth of community spirit. Earlier trials of wired-up-communities, funded by the DfES (www.dfes.gov.uk/wired), demonstrated the value of a community intranet in a number of locations across the UK.

Ensuring commercial viability of the operation is vital. Since the trials at least one company has carried out extensive development of the business model for delivering community services.

Source

Building Sustainable Design