Baseline study

This publication is the result of a baseline assessment of the ASToN network. It provides a reference so that network members can share their collective knowledge, understanding and a common language of certain fundamental concepts related to smart cities, and to share first thematic focuses for the project. Through eleven city profiles, it also assesses the present situation of each member city and their respective local authority. Finally, the identified problem, or sub-theme, towards which each city will work in Phase 2 of the ASToN project, will be introduced.

The publication is made up of four Sections:
• Introduction and background
• State of the Art
• City Profiles
• Synthesis and Ways Forward for phase 2

The Background and Introduction section addresses the nature of the ASToN project and establishes the key pieces of terminology surrounding the “smart city” and digital local authority.

The State of the Art presents an overview of the current digital transition within the African continent, the opportunities and challenges for urban digital development in Africa, and the role of local authorities in engendering, steering and supporting this change.

City Profiles focuses on the existing needs and expertise relating to the specific issue that each ASToN member will address during their time in the network. Preliminary work will feed into the synthesis report, and enable the detailed definition of the experimental research questions that network partners will work towards.

The Synthesis and Ways Forward section brings together analysis of the city profiles, their typology, common trends and specificities, and provides the methodology for the following phases of the project. It presents the proposals of each local authority, and discusses how the ASToN network will function, including its expected outputs.