Digital transformation and the “smart city”

In recent years, digital technology has been a powerful force in how we work, travel, trade, communicate and consume, in what is an increasingly globalised world. Digital technologies have the potential to increase economic output, improve public services, encourage citizen participation, and are being used to help tackle some of society’s biggest challenges.

If technological developments and their uses are synonymous with progress and improvement in terms of efficiency, they can also create small disruptions which, if not thought out, anticipated, and minimised, can cause unintened consequences, discrimination, environmental damage and inequality.

This could include the environmental impact of digital technologies – the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of digital technology will represent 6% of the world’s output in 4 years, three times those of world aviation² and according to the International Telecommunication Union (United Nations), digital emissions must decrease by 45% by 2030 to be able to reach the objectives of the Paris agreement³.

Democracy can become weakened through the circulation of Fake news and the erosion of the place of politics, replaced by decisions based on automatism, algorithms, artificial intelligence, etc., is a major concern. Social and territorial equity is called into question when access to public services is not equal for all, and ethical risks like respect for personal data and individual freedom, or opaque principles being used to design algorithmic decision-making tools.

The digital sector encompasses an array of tools and solutions based on information and communication technologies (ICT): connectivity infrastructure, management software, mobile telephone applications, geographic information systems (GIS), SMS, online forums, urban databases, etc. It also includes a wider ecosystem of mediation platforms, marketplaces and digital inclusion, economic sectors structuring themselves around digital technology, digital training sectors, and more. Through all this, the digital sector is therefore involved in both the production of data and the development of new services which may use this data.

The ability of a local authority to mobilise digital tools and data for the benefit of their territory will influence how they are able to design policies and deliver public services. Building digital infrastructure, skills and new ways of working are important in being able to structure, monitor and evaluate government projects in radically different ways. Cities must also go beyond being ‘just’ stewards and consumers of data through private platforms and must instead become data strategists, taking ownership of all the issues relating to data, so that real political choices can be made in collaboration with citizens, and are not left to others to decide. When data is used well for decision-making and impact, its power lies in how it is managed, structured, processed, and the decision-making process of the algorithms that process it, data’s transparency and the commercial models or otherwise surrounding its ownership. This capability will also influence how stakeholders in the territory will produce and deliver innovative services – the local authority can make the transition from maker to facilitator and enabler.

Digital transformation of a local authority or urban service, if it is pointed at the development of new, relevant and fruitful digital uses in the local area, can contribute towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Specifically, Goal 9, to “build resilient infra- structure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation”; Goal 11, to “Make Cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”; and Goal 17, to “Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development”.

The UN agency ITU lists the contribution of ICT technology to contribute towards the SDGS as falling under four keys areas: building infrastructure, securing investment, promoting innovation and ensuring inclusivity⁴. For example, building broadband connectivity can facilitate the use of certain technologies to use innovative approaches to managing cities more effectively, all the while improving the wellbeing of citizens. Second, ensuring inclusivity can, by building digital skills within the population, or by fostering deeper connections between citizens and local government, allow for more informed and empowered citizens and more responsive, relevant, adapted, listening policies.

The influence of digitalisation on the SDGs is therefore transversal, because an improved infrastructure and increased stakeholder interaction with government are key foundations of change that have knock-on effects, across society, economy, and the environment at large. However digital transformation is not an end in and of itself, but rather a means towards sustainable urban development. It comes with no guarantee for positive development outcomes if it is not conceived, designed and delivered thoughtfully, sensitively, and with citizens’ needs as the key driver.