DEC 11, 2023 BELLFLOWER CTIY COUNCIL MEETING: The public gave comments regarding news of the Bellflower Connect development plan, where wireless infrastructure is being installed and public programs are being initiated to support a 15-Minute City (aka Smart City).
The 15-Minute City, or Smart City, concept is often linked to the U.N. and WEF, 2030 agenda, where populations will be segmented and concentrated within urban hubs where all “amenities” are available within 15 minutes of someone’s residence, as described by the American Policy Center’s article on Science, Agriculture, City Planning, and Global Control. Like the public speakers, some claim that the framework of the 15-Minute or Smart City is an encroachment of our civil liberties and privacy (see Bellflower, CA – First 15-Min City in CA)
Council members responded, stating that the Brea Connect project was not part of a Smart City Plan, but rather expanded wifi services being offered by the city to the public, similar to other ISPs (Internet Service Providers).
Oddly, the public presentation on Brea Connect given on Nov 29, 2023, suggests the plan is much more than just wifi, with the word Smart City listed near the beginning of the presentation. Sustability, limited transportation needs and workforce development planning were also mentioned, suggesting a deeper agenda than just simply internet service.
References:
Marquardt, Kathleen (2022). SCIENCE, AGRICULTURE, CITY PLANNING, AND GLOBAL CONTROL. American Policy Center. Accessed on 1/5/23 from https://americanpolicy.org/2023/08/05/science-agriculture-city-planning-and-global-control/.
Merrit, Jeff (October 2023). Smart Cities: Promoting Urban Governance in India. World Economic Forum [White Paper].
United Nations (2023). Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development. Accessed on 1/5/23 from https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda