Page 58 - U4SSC Blockchain for smart sustainable cities

In 2017, Active Citizen became the first IT project As input, the intervention makes use of a web
in the Moscow City government to switch to site and mobile app and then uses blockchain
blockchain technology. A specially assembled technology to make the votes immutable
team in the Department of IT developed and transparent. The transformation that
the system using a private blockchain on the was needed for this change included a shift in
Ethereum platform. The system makes use resident participation in city decisions, and more
of a proof-of-authority consensus algorithm, accessible information for residents to improve
the Parity platform shell and the Solidity transparency. There were also changes in the
programming language. Since then, there have approach to IT projects with dedicated team-
been ongoing improvements to the system’s building skills in blockchain technologies.
security and efficiency.
This system improved the existing participation
There were some difficulties. For example, the based on justified use of blockchain technology
means to protect personal data which, according where there is no direct trust between the entity
to Federal law, cannot be made visible to the and the citizen. Moreover, there is no need to
public. The solution was to replace personal data have a distinct entity controlling the system.
with a user ID, which is stored in the system and There is also a requirement to keep a permanent
the blockchain. In this way, the individual can record, as well as shared writing access.
always find his or her user ID and voting record, However, there is no specific need to remove
without disclosing any personal data. Anyone the intermediaries, or the digital assets. Beyond
who voted can verify that their vote has not been these properties, the Active Citizen case does
changed, either on the Active Citizen website or not require the implementation of a contractual
by installing a node on their computer. relationship. Finally, the system must be able to
store a large volume of non-transactional data.
The blockchain makes voting in Active Citizen
transparent and allows anyone to check the The intervention resulted in a new system that
results and see how the votes of residents was more secure and efficient. The benefits have
are counted. As a result, people understand included increased participation in city decisions
the process better and trust the results. The by residents and greater trust in the system
blockchain-based solution has created the and the public services. All this takes place in
necessary conditions for increasing confidence a context in which the views of residents are
in the Active Citizen project and in public services valued. There are also legal considerations that
more generally. the system has had to take into account.
This case demonstrates the use of smart
technology to contribute to the areas of smart
governance and smart people.

Lesson learned

• Blockchain technology creates the necessary conditions for increasing confidence in public services
through immutability and transparency.
• Data privacy concerns that result from the transparency of blockchain can be dealt with by using
identifiers and storing personal data in a parallel system.

48 U4SSC: Blockchain for smart sustainable cities