Page 15 - U4SSC Simple ways to be smart

1.3 Smart interventions

Smart interventions in a city can take many forms. They may entail installing new infrastructure, like
smart lighting along city streets, or a new software system, such as an automated voice system to
respond to queries coming to the city’s helpdesk. New software might be implemented entirely
within the local government offices, like a fleet management system, or it might be something that
promotes interaction between city residents and local government, like an app that residents use
to report maintenance issues around the city.

This report uses the term smart interventions, rather than smart solutions, to indicate an interest
in all the steps that go into creating a smarter city, and not just the implementation of technology
solutions. Smart interventions may not involve technology directly; rather they may set up the
conditions for other, smarter interventions. Implementing an open data policy setting out what
city data will be made public and how, a consultative process to investigate how residents or
local businesses understand a smart city, a public library offering computer training, or a business
incubator for start-ups are all examples of smart interventions.

Although the role of technology remains central to the idea of a Smart City, our definition also
allows for the use of “other means” to enhance life in the city and so interventions to improve the
mental and physical health of residents by improving city parks or exercise programs can also be
considered smart interventions, since they improve quality of life of present and future generations.

Smart interventions can be originated by different city stakeholders. This report is targeted at local
government and hence focuses on the smart interventions that are within the mandate and capacity
of local government to initiate and implement, but they could equally be initiated by businesses
(large and small) or by non-profit or social organisations. Increasingly, smart initiatives are being
seen as collaborations between local government and other city stakeholders, each contributing
different insights, capacities and resources. Such collaborations are particularly important because
of the systemic nature of cities.

1.4 Simple smart interventions

For cities that are starting to become smarter it makes sense to begin with simple interventions
and to use the experience to develop capacities, processes and institutional knowledge that can
be leveraged for more complex interventions over time. Cities that do not have resources to spend
on experimenting, should focus first on interventions where there is a high chance of success.

Simple means easy to understand and easy to use, hence it should be easy to comprehend the
concept, the path from the intervention to the intended outcomes, and the technology. The use
of the smart intervention encompasses the implementation process and the changes in behaviour
that are expected from city stakeholders, be they city employees, residents, or businesses. Simple
interventions should be easy for people to adapt to and should improve their experience, particularly
where the goal is widespread use.

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