Page 50 - U4SSC Factsheet, Mashhad, Iran (Islamic Republic of), September 2021

values for KPIs by taking into consideration their priorities, constraints, resources and optimal
KPI performance levels. The SSC-MM is another tool that can be used to communicate progress
to stakeholders, to help further refine the Mashhad Initiative and smart sustainable city strategy.
Details are available in the appendix.

KPIs

• Mashhad should review each category in the data review section for guidance on ITU-T
Recommendations that are directly related to the needs of the city.

• Mashhad should focus on KPI results in the 0–33 per cent of target range and that are also
reflected in the city’s priorities. The KPIs related to traffic, air quality, informal settlements and
water availability should be put under scrutiny.

• The basic utility infrastructure of the Mashhad (ICT, water, electricity, waste collection) meets
the needs of the city.

• The services delivered online by the city, the development of a city portal to provide inhabitants
with a vast array of information, is a strong outcome of the Mashhad Initiative.
• The open government portal is a good demonstration of the strength of the city in providing
transparency in local government financial status and performance.

• The electronic micropayment systems implemented are excellent tools not to only gather
information on public transit usage but also to increase its use.
• Tourism is the major industry and employer in the city. As such, Mashhad should determine
the private sector employment within the tourism sector. It is also important for the needs of
this economic sector to be reflected in the Mashhad Initiative and to ensure that the needs of
tourism and tourists are an ongoing and integral part of the smart city strategy and plans.

• With Mashhad being in an area of high-water stress, water management and conservation
should be an increasing priority for the city administration, and smart water planning should
implemented within the smart city strategy.

• Smart electrical meter installations are currently at a nascent stage within the city. Smart electrical
meters are key for better understanding and collection of data related to the electricity usage
and demand patterns across the city. To implement smarter grids within the city (to manage
the demand and reduce consumption) will require increasing the coverage of electrical smart
meters as an initial step.
• Traffic congestion and the resulting poor air quality are issues that require a high priority of
action. The map.mashhad.ir website provides citizens with up-to-date information on traffic
and air quality. There needs to be a strong connection from the data collected to programmes
that can then positively counteract the negative environmental considerations. Traffic reduction
strategies such as congestion charging for specific areas or specific times should be considered,
in addition to upgrades to the current intelligent transportation systems.

44 U4SCC Factsheet | Mashhad, Iran (Islamic Republic of) | September 2021