Overview
ISO/TR 37152:2016 - Smart community infrastructures - Common framework for development and operation - provides a high-level, practical framework for planning, developing, operating and maintaining smart community infrastructures. It addresses the lifecycle from conceptual design through planning, development, operation, maintenance, redevelopment and feedback. The report emphasizes harmonizing multiple infrastructure types (energy, water, transportation, waste management, ICT and others) as a “system of systems” so their interactions are orchestrated, resilient and value‑driving.
Key topics and requirements
- System-of-systems approach: Clarifies that smart community value depends on the consistency and orchestration among subsystems rather than isolated component performance.
- Lifecycle coverage: Applicable to all lifecycle phases - conceptual design, planning, development, operation, maintenance, redevelopment and feedback.
- Stakeholder processes: Defines processes for planners, developers, operators and suppliers covering management, organizational structure, analysis and design methods, and documentation.
- Elements of the framework: Includes core elements such as:
- Element (A) - allocation of specifications to components and validation of allocation procedures.
- Element (B) - specifications for interactions (internal/external) and incorporation of countermeasures into planning and operation.
- Element (C) - processes to facilitate information sharing and communication among stakeholders.
- Risk, resilience and interoperability considerations: Addresses influences from external systems, fluctuating interaction parameters (e.g., EV grid interactions, recycled resource flows), and the need to ensure safety, reliability and dependability.
- Performance metrics and KPIs: The framework incorporates metrics to measure development, operation and maintenance outcomes and to demonstrate added value of integrated infrastructures.
Practical applications
- Use ISO/TR 37152:2016 to structure multi‑infrastructure projects where coordinated behavior across energy, transport, water, waste and ICT is required.
- Apply the framework when defining responsibilities, interfaces and specifications to ensure integrated services (e.g., heat reuse, multimodal transport connections, EV-grid interaction).
- Employ the guidance to develop information‑sharing processes and governance models that reduce fragmentation among stakeholders and demonstrate the community‑level benefits of investments.
Who should use it
- Urban planners and community developers designing integrated districts.
- Infrastructure operators and service providers coordinating interdependent systems.
- System integrators, suppliers and technology vendors defining component specifications and interfaces.
- Policy makers and project managers setting governance, KPI and lifecycle strategies.
Related standards and context
- Developed under ISO/TC 268 (Sustainable development in communities), Subcommittee SC 1 (Smart community infrastructures). The report complements other ISO guidance on smart cities, sustainability and interoperability and should be used alongside domain‑specific standards for energy, water, transport and ICT.
