3. Smart Indicators 3.3 Smart Governance Transparent governance
Transparent Governance In the case of Latin America, the information most frequently published on city websites is related to municipal laws, regulations and plans, information that is available at 86% of them. This contrasts with the economic information, because only 29% of the cities publishes their budgets and municipal accounts.
New technologies can be used to enhance democratic processes and increase opportunities for individuals and communities to interact with the government. Internet leads to greater participation, as it overcomes the limitations imposed by geography, disabilities or other factors. It also facilitates access to information by individuals and groups that had not been included previously.
In the case of Europe, 92% of cities provide information related to municipal plans on their websites and 85% of them also publishes regulations and budgets. In Asia, Taipei City offers a wide range of information on‐line and published municipal regulations, plans and budgets, but does not publish information on laws.
Asked about the institutional information available on‐line for citizens, of the 25 cities (4 in Africa, 7 in Latin America, 1 in Asia and 13 in Europe) that responded to the question, the institutional information that was most widely posted on the cities' websites involve municipal plans and regulations, as this type of information was found in 88% and 84% of them respectively. In 72% of cities, economic‐ financial information on the cities and municipal accounts or budgets were also available. Analysing the information at regional level, we find that the information most frequently posted by cities in Africa on their websites is related to municipal budgets and accounts, since 100% of cities that responded to this question post this type of information. Institutional information available on‐line to the public (transparency)
100%
100%
100%
90%
100%
100%
100%
92% 86%
80%
86%
85%
75%
75%
70%
86%
85%
62% 54%
50%
90%
% of cities
% of cities that provide institutional information on‐line by region
60%
100%
84%
80%
88%
40%
70%
72%
30%
60% 50%
The cities also publish other information, such as: Municipal corporation (composition, structure, contact details, etc.), news and announcements, subsidies and grants and service contracts, among others.
56%
29%
25%
20%
40%
44%
30%
10%
0%
29%
0%
0%
20%
Legal framework
Regulation
Municipal plans
Budgets
Others
10%
Africa
0% Legal framework
Regulation
Municipal plans
Budgets
Others
Latin America
Asia
Europe
98