Moving from smart cities to smart outcomes that can better prepare for future crisis
At a glance
Social distancing has a big impact on the dynamic of movement in a city. The widespread application of sensors currently helps urban environments to operate efficiently through the integration of technology into its infrastructures and community amenities. The introduction of technologies to monitor physical distancing and transmission of the coronavirus has forced a reassessment of the future aims of a data-driven city.
The innovation
Anticipating and planning for the multiple effects of crisis management, climate change and economic opportunity is forming a big part of future resilience
With connectivity advances extending beyond what we currently see implemented in cities, the discussion has shifted from what smart technologies can we implement to what are the new outcomes being sought to drive the scale up of smart technology?
The innovation in this approach is built on people, knowledge and understanding of the technologies and how their benefits can be captured, integrated and realised. By bringing together the benefits of deep data analysis to human-centered planning we are able to craft and manage a much richer environment based on technological ecosystems that captures data in order to make improved and sustainable decisions.
Tapping into the benefits of technologies can be achieved through rigorous testing and analysis. This is where both the public and private sectors have the biggest opportunity in shaping.
Whilst there is nothing like a crisis to invoke a quick response, the opportunity remains for strong collaboration as we recover and take action to transform towards Smart Outcomes for cities. The debate will depend on, governing organisations willing to:
- Be people, outcomes and resilience focused
- Invest and procure in different ways
- Work openly alongside the private sector to accelerate solutions together
- Be willing to co-invest in trials, scaling of trials and solutions
This is approach is human-centered and uses the strengths of a wide network (or ecosystem) of expertise through collaboration.
Digital collaboration
With the pandemic upon us, globally, organisations have been working to find ways to combat the spread of the coronavirus whether it is through social distancing treatments or research.
Shared governance is the ultimate aim. This would yield results. Many organisations don’t want to own technology or its outcomes because the risks are high. The priority should then shift to the efficient delivery of the technology with shared ownership and risk.
Collaboration on these projects to bring learnings together will provide more rigorous results and a broader understanding of the outcomes. Recently, Germany sponsored an online hackathon engaging 43,000 volunteers in an effort to fight coronavirus and find solutions to COVID-19 dilemmas. The results show how much we can accomplish working together in a digitally connected world. Similarly, New Zealand held a ‘Hack the Crisis’ to assist in developing actionable ideas for cities beyond COVID-19.
Covid-19 has brought many challenges, but in every challenge comes opportunity, and Hack the Crisis is a chance for us to explore, test and take forward those opportunities as we look to collectively reinvent and rebuild our community,”
Whether it is at a government, organisation or individual level, the shared co-creation of innovative mindsets fused with digital technology can reform our cities with smart layers to ensure preparedness and resiliency of future crisis situations.