How do you make your city a leader in the 21st century ­economy? Ensure that all ­residents have a fast internet ­connection and the freedom to innovate.

That’s the reasoning behind New York City’s $10 million initiative to bring high-speed internet to the city’s poorest citizens, starting with those who reside at Queensbridge North and South, which together make up the largest public housing development in the nation.

All told, Queensbridge houses more than 6,500 residents, spreading over six city blocks in the borough of Queens. Before the end of 2017, each of the 3,147 households in the complex will have access to a 25-megabit-per-second Wi-Fi connection, absolutely free of charge