4.3 Conclusion
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For cities to thrive and continue to attract talent and capital in an increasingly competitive global landscape, they will need to be nimble and focused on several important aspects while they follow the action plan for urban transformation:
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Be stable, but not stagnant: Cities must continuously evolve to develop regulations and governance structures that meet stakeholders’ needs, which themselves are changing at a rapid rate Nurture and accept innovation: Cities need to experiment and embrace new technology and new business models that enable them to do more with less Collaborate: Cities must address the needs of all sections of society and work with communities, NGOs, academia and the private sector; in this way, they can become sustainable, citizen-centric, economically vibrant, accessible, resilient, responsive and wellgoverned
We are in a phase of unprecedented urbanization; the challenges are great, but so are the opportunities. We are witnessing extraordinary successes in a few cities in the developed world that have embraced the opportunities provided by new technologies to drive change in the way citizens are engaged and cities are governed. The time is right for other cities to initiate and propel their journey towards becoming sustainable, citizen-centric, economically vibrant, accessible, resilient, well-governed and responsive.
Adoption of Urban Services Roadmap for Urban Transformation
Figure 13: The 10-Step Action Plan
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Identify & Prioritize Goals Varied goals need to be prioritize based on benefits to stakeholders, prevalent circumstances and immediate needs.
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Develop Programs Programs to achieve KPIs need to be identified, and all stakeholders must be involved. Multi-domain initiatives must be preferred with spatial footprint identified. Select standards to ensure scalability. Prioritize projects for experimentation.
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Develop Shared Vision All stakeholders (government, citizens, private players, NGOs, Academics) need to develop shared vision & KPIs. Learn from other cities.
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Create a conducive business environment: It is clear that city governments will require support from the private sector to develop cities, and city government will have to understand and meet the needs of the private sector and create projects that balance risks and rewards Demonstrate leadership: City leaders need to be both visionary and pragmatic in pushing through the desired transformation; they will need to take calculated and well-informed risks and guard against assuming the default position of risk aversion
Identify Challenges Challenges in the current operating model needs to be identified. Is the city expecting to change the way it works? Learn from other cities.
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Financing & Funding Are the user charges sufficient to fund development? What will be the source of financing?
Revisit Regulations While embracing technology-enabled urban services, regulations need to revisited - data sharing, privacy and the sharing economy.
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Develop Capacity Champions for the initiative need to be identified. Management and technical capabilities need to be developed.
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Target Quick Wins Quick wins need to be targeted in order to build the city's brand, attract best people, solutions and capital. Agile way to implement programs must be encouraged.
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Manage Benefits & Monitor Programs need to be monitored on regular basis and mid-course correction be made. Benefits/Expectations need to be managed.
Identify DNA Key characteristics of the city needs to be identified; uniqueness of city needs to be strengthened through innovative use of urban services.
Source: World Economic Forum, Shaping the Future of Urban Development & Services Initiative & PwC Research Inspiring Future Cities & Urban Services: Shaping the Future of Urban Development and Services Initiative
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