Page 55 - U4SSC Blockchain for smart sustainable cities

Case 5. Moscow weekend fairs

While smart cities use technology to make Twenty-four days before each trading season,
the everyday life of residents easier and more application campaigns are conducted and
comfortable, not everything “smart” is about individuals, farms and other producers have
gadgets and robots. One of the most important fifteen days to submit electronic applications to
urban challenges is to bring high-quality products participate.
and food to people. Since 2011, weekend fairs in About 15 000 trading sites are available, however,
Moscow have provided city residents with high- around 20 000 applications are received for each
quality food and agricultural products, while season, meaning that many do not get a place.
supporting local producers and entrepreneurs.
This works well; however, a shortage of available Since the summer of 2018, the Moscow
trading sites at the fairs has caused arguments government has introduced an Ethereum-
between providers and led to mistrust of the fair based, private blockchain solution to increase
organizers. the transparency in the allocation of trading
sites. Applications are now duplicated on the
In order to attract more direct manufacturers blockchain and timestamped. Allocation of
from Russian regions and to increase access sites is based on time of submission, other
that residents have to goods, trading sites at things being equal, and the solution uses smart
weekend fairs are free.
contracts to compare applications. The records
are then updated depending on whether or not
applicants have been allowed to take a site. 79

Figure 10: Smart cities dimension for the Moscow fair

U4SSC: Blockchain for smart sustainable cities 45