New megacities continue to develop around the world at a rapid rate. In 30 years some 75% of the world's population will be living in conurbations. This rapid rate of urbanization is generating a host of challenges - from water/energy supply and environmental protection to mobility, logistics and communications.

For Deutsche Messe this topic complex has become a strategic issue and, as a result, there will be a comprehensive showcase for it at the company's flagship exhibitions CeBIT and HANNOVER MESSE next year.

"Urban solutions and technology are becoming increasingly significant worldwide and have therefore evolved into a strategic topic for Deutsche Messe", states Ernst Raue, Member of the Managing Board at Hannover-based Deutsche Messe. "The challenges which are arising as a result of a growing number of megacities can ultimately only be solved by the application of intelligent technologies," he concludes.

The new Urban Solutions display sector - running from 6 to 10 March at CeBIT 2012 - features information and telecommunications technology approaches and solutions to the challenges of increasing urbanization. The range of issues includes ICT solutions for water/energy supply, waste management, environmental protection, mobility and logistics, communications, data protection and security, eGovernment, public safety, education and health care. Located in Hall 8, the Urban Solutions Forum will provide a presentation and discussion framework for all these issues.

Within the Urban Solutions topic complex, CeBIT and the BITKOM association are teaming up to sponsor the "Urban Solutions Pitch" - a competition whose winners will be invited to present their projects free of charge at CeBIT 2012. The Urban Solutions Pitch is dedicated to promoting the development and application of innovative technologies to help manage the world's conurbations.

Apart from BITKOM and Deutsche Messe, both the German Association of Towns and Municipalities and the Fraunhofer ICT Group have signed on as active cooperation partners for the Urban Solutions Pitch 2012. This competition is targeted equally at startups and small and medium-sized as well as large-scale enterprises. Applications can be submitted to BITKOM through 7 December 2011. Further information is available at www.bitkom.org/urbansolutions.

More information concerning Urban Solutions