{"id":539,"date":"2022-11-15T11:08:37","date_gmt":"2022-11-15T11:08:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/tbs\/?p=539"},"modified":"2022-12-06T10:53:27","modified_gmt":"2022-12-06T10:53:27","slug":"global-survey-of-cities-finds-more-than-half-lack-plans-to-guide-digitalization","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/tbs\/2022\/11\/15\/global-survey-of-cities-finds-more-than-half-lack-plans-to-guide-digitalization\/","title":{"rendered":"Global survey of cities finds more than half lack plans to guide digitalization"},"content":{"rendered":"

Press Release: <\/strong>Nairobi\/Barcelona, November 15, 2022<\/strong> <\/span><\/p>\n

Cities are increasingly using digital technologies for the delivery of basic services such as transportation, energy, public lighting, waste management, healthcare, and many others. This ongoing digital transformation provides new opportunities but also creates challenges to establish the so-called <\/span><\/em>smart city initiatives<\/span>.  <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

A dedicated smart city unit for the coordination and implementation of smart city initiatives is common in many cities and data-driven decision making plays a central role especially in higher-income economies. However, the implementation and application of legal frameworks and regulations specific to smart city initiatives is a complex task for many municipalities worldwide. Many local governments lack an innovation-oriented mindset and the competencies required to manage an effective digital transformation. Moreover, over two thirds of low-income countries do not have a national policy to guide smart city initiatives. <\/span><\/p>\n

These are some of the main findings from a <\/span>new report<\/span><\/a> published today and produced jointly by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (<\/span>UN-Habitat<\/span><\/a>), the Development Bank of Latina America (<\/span>CAF<\/span><\/a>),  <\/span>Edinburgh Napier University<\/span><\/a>, and Tallinn University of Technology (<\/span>TalTech<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>Global Review of Smart City Governance Practices<\/span><\/i><\/a> is the first-ever report to examine how  smart city governance is interpreted and managed  across regions of the world . It brings together experience from 250 cities to provide key strategic recommendations for local governments as they plan, implement and sustain smart city initiatives.<\/span><\/p>\n

I believe local governments have an important role to play in the governance of smart cities and in countering the challenges and risks of rising digitalization in public service delivery and implications such as digital divide, digital inclusion, and social equity.<\/span><\/i> Said Ms Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Executive Director of UN-Habitat. <\/span><\/p>\n

At the intersection between digital technology and urban development lies an opportunity for more sustainable living conditions in urban communities. This report offers clear advice on how to realise this potential in an inclusive and sustainable manner, with evidence-based recommendations that can inform any efforts to transform smart city technologies into a force for more sustainable urban futures.<\/span><\/i> Said Dr Luca Mora, Professor of Urban Innovation and Director of the Urban Innovation Policy Lab at Edinburgh Napier University.<\/span><\/p>\n

In Latin America and the Caribbean, the most urbanized developing region on the planet, smart city management is a key element in improving people\u2019s lives. With this work, we hope to contribute to the debate on issues of inclusive urban development and to the dissemination of innovative initiatives that seek to strengthen the intelligent management of cities<\/span><\/i>. Said Mr. Antonio Silveira, Physical Infrastructure and Digital Transformation Manager at CAF – development Bank of Latin America.<\/span><\/p>\n

Further facts and figures highlighted in the report include:<\/span><\/p>\n