SmartCitiesWorld – by Sarah Wray – 29 May 2019
This article is in association with Amey / Ferrovial Centre of Excellence for Cities
How can cities understand more about all of their citizens – not just the vocal minority?
There’s a growing understanding that smarter cities will require much greater citizen engagement and involvement. This is the only way to ensure that people remain at the centre of city development and that technology is used in line with the stated aim of improving quality of life for residents and visitors.
Action to better include citizens in decision-making is also increasing – albeit more slowly – with more cities beginning to hold consultation exercises such as polls, debates via online platforms, in-person workshops and more.
While these are a step in the right direction, the information gleaned still doesn’t tell the whole story. Typically, a minority of citizens are simply more minded, or able, to participate in these types of activities and share their opinions.
”Everyone has a role in services such as recycling and we need as many opinions as possible to shape services that people want, understand and will respond to.”
To achieve their goal of taking as many citizens’ views into account as possible, cities and other public sector bodies, such as transportation authorities, must go further – they need to reach the ‘silent majority’.
…
… to read on, go to: www.smartcitiesworld.net
Recent Comments