Open House: "Smart Cities" meeting at Bookhouse Cinema

Thinking about the future today: That's one focus of a"Smart Cities" meeting from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. tonight at Bookhouse Cinema on Broadway in Joplin.

You'll be invited to discuss ways to improve efficiencies throughout the community -- now and in the future.

Troy Bolander, Director of Planning and Development and Neighborhood Services in Joplin, gives an example:

"They've created a streetlight LED technology that can control the lighting and intensity of the lighting depending on how bright or dark it is outside - which in turn saves a city money."

He says subject matter could run the gamut. Bolander mentions possible discussion of long-range planning for natural disasters or economic disasters.

Another subject could be city regulations and reactions to autonomous automobiles - something unseen at this time but almost certainly coming in the future.

Those who cannot attend are invited to join a Live Stream of the event on the City of Joplin's Facebook page.