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International digital ideas competition 2020

Worldwide cities face similar challenges. This has become even more visible through the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic situation has generated inspiring creativity and solidarity. How can we transfer innovative solutions from the pandemic to the future?

How can we promote sustainable urban development for the common good? To tackle these questions, the German Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community initiated the international, digital ideas competition #SolutionsForCities.

The ideas competition supported cities and municipalities in finding digital solutions for their current local challenges. Representatives of the Smart Cities model projects from Bamberg, Kaiserslautern, Kassel, Süderbrarup and Wolfsburg participated in the competition. From the International Smart Cities Network, the cities of Guadalajara from Mexico, Miraflores from Peru, Fortaleza from Brazil, and Kochi, Coimbatore and Bhubaneshwar from India took part. Through internationally networked cooperation, insights from the pandemic period were applied for an urban development oriented towards the common good.

 

Timeline

Areas of Action

Actions

Challenges & Solutions

Digital Solutions for Social Cohesion

Challenge: Keeping in touch during times of social distancingCities: Kaiserslautern & Wolfsburg, GermanyDigital solution: Hello Again by Capalogic GmbH from Wolfsburg, GermanyEasy-to-use video communication app adapted to the needs of the elderly that can be managed remotely by relatives. The team received the award „Best Digital Solution for Social Cohesion“.

Digital Solutions for Access

Challenge: Empower digital literacy to increase participationCity: Amt Süderbrarup, GermanyDigital solution: WeCreate Süderbrarup by WeCreate from Leipzig, GermanyProviding a digital interface for engagement, networking and project management, which builds on offered analog workshops and networking events. The team received the award „Best Digital Solution for Access“.

Challenge: Empowering urban dwellers to harness green space benefits and overcome access barriers City: Coimbatore, India Digital Solution: safergreen by zora – Zozmann & Karutz GbR from Leipzig, Germany and Red Dot Foundation Global from Columbia, USAEasy-to-use information and warning app that provides citizens with details about the location, condition, and visitor traffic of green spaces and playgrounds. Citizens can submit alerts about the safety situation and required maintenance, which will benefit user-centric greenspace management.

Challenge: Holistic and sustainable citizen participationCity: Kassel, GermanyDigital Solution: Smart Kassel – fits together by Civocracy B.V. from Berlin, GermanyImplementing a digital participation platform to complement a holistic strategy of on- and offline participation, dedicated communication strategies and targeted stakeholder involvement around the topic of Smart City.

Digital Solutions for vibrant Urban & local Centres

Challenge: Strengthening the local marketCity: Metropolitan Area of Guadalajara, MexicoDigital solution: Online Market Solution “Mi Mercado AMG” by Kampala Capital City Authority from Kampala, UgandaThe online sales platform enables local retailers to offer their products even during the pandemic. A sustainable delivery service guarantees the population to avoid physical contact. The team received the award „Best Digital Solution for Vibrant Urban & Local Centres.  

Digital Solutions for Mobility

Challenge: Efficiently manage overcrowded public spaces (sidewalks, parks etc.) by people and micro-mobility vehicles to improve infrastructure demandsCity: Miraflores, PeruDigital solution: PIMUS Plattform for Citizen Proposal Digital Inventory and CaminAPP by Municipalities Tecate & Tijuana and the federal state Baja California from Mexico  Citizen have the opportunity to report problems, such as overcrowded squares or run-down streets, and suggest possible solutions to the city administration. In this way, citizens, experts and the city administration can work together on solutions. The team received the award „Best Digital Solution for Mobility“.

Selection Criteria

The following criteria presented the basis for selection of submitted solutions as well as for assessing the results of the scalathon. They ensure a sustainable, digital transformation oriented towards the common good.

Strenghten the Sense of community

Strenghten the Sense of community

  • Foster identification with neighbourhoods and strengthen public spaces
  • Contribute to an enhanced quality of life
  • Enhance social cohesion and foster solidarity
Foster citizen participation, inclusion and open innovation

Foster citizen participation, inclusion and open innovation

  • Start by understanding the needs of people
  • Follow a human-centred approach by developing for and with people
  • Create user friendly and barrier-free solutions in order to foster inclusio
Contribute to urban development goals

Contribute to urban development goals

  • Provide tailor-made solutions in response to local needs
  • Embed solutions in existing and/or future urban development processes
  • Promote cross-sectoral approaches in accordance with integrated urban development
Improve municipal services

Improve municipal services

  • Follow responsive, sensitive and agile approaches
  • Foster digital capacity development
  • Enhance the municipality’s ability to act and reach out to the people
Promote green and healthy cities

Promote green and healthy cities

  • Strengthen environmental awareness and empower local bottom-up environmental action
  • Strive for carbon-neutral, resource-friendly and climate-resilient cities
  • Promote urban health
Strenghten the local economy and digital ecosystem

Strenghten the local economy and digital ecosystem

  • Foster and collaborate with the existing digital ecosystem
  • Connect local economic actors and enhance collaboration
  • Consider supply chains and commodity flows on different levels to enhance local provision
Address privacy and security

Address privacy and security

  • Foster and collaborate with the existing digital ecosystem
  • Connect local economic actors and enhance collaboration
  • Consider supply chains and commodity flows on different levels to enhance local provision
Address privacy and security

Address privacy and security

  • Follow the standards of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
  • Safeguard cyber security standards and provide urban practitioners guidance on responsible data management
  • Raise general awareness among citizens about the implications of data sharing through online services
Design for scalability, adaptability and transferability

Design for scalability, adaptability and transferability

  • Build on and refine existing knowledge
  • Prioritise and publish open source codes roles and competencies
  • Prioritise and publish open standards