The project In the context of the Covid-related emergency, many cities during the first reopening after lockdown(s), were faced with the need to manage access to public spaces in compliance with security measures. In particular, ensuring the contact tracing of users (for example: access to municipal sports spaces, cultural activities, etc.). At the same time, the ongoing pandemic crisis has highlighted the need for a digital presence of small and medium-sized businesses in order to be reached virtually by their customers. However, not all businesses have been prepared for this digital challenge and they risk becoming disadvantaged and damaged by this new market situation. The City of Lugano in Switzerland, has deployed several initiatives to support small and medium-sized businesses in the city. The case presented at the Digital Living Lab Days 2021 is a unique project in Switzerland, of a creation within a short time, of a city app managed by the municipal administration that has responded to these needs. The case study presented is the MyLugano app: a free and currently functioning app available to citizens and guests of Lugano for: - booking and purchasing cultural, entertainment and sports events in city facilities while ensuring contact tracing through the use of the app; - a new point-based loyalty system (LVGA points) based on the blockchain technology integrated in the app. The new loyalty system is dedicated to small and medium-sized businesses active in the sales sector of the City of Lugano (i.e.: businesses, cultural, sports, service and leisure activities, etc.), and users (citizens) who both receive LVGA points for every expense done using the app. So far MyLugano app can be considered a best practice for the innovative creation of a digital ecosystem using new technologies by a public administration. The app in fact manages, without the support of third parties, the city' contact tracing solution, provides a virtual place with the calendar of events in the city and the public places that require a reservation, and a space dedicated to shopping, with a free digital showcase for commercial partners. The app is generating a promotion of shopping in the city in favor of the local merchants through the creation of an ad-hoc circuit using blockchain technology. MyLugano app has demonstrated also the need for coordination with the institutions: Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) and the Organismo di Autodisciplina dei Fiduciari del Cantone Ticino (OAD FCT), within the framework of the law against money laundering.
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