Page 9 - Enabling digital transformation in smart sustainable cities – Master plan

Foreword

United Nations University

We are experiencing rapid development in information and communication technologies (ICTs)
and their ubiquitous diffusion among the sectors worldwide. The rise and developments in ICTs
have advantages and potentialities but challenges for the institutions. Government agencies,
particularly local governments, and affiliated institutions, are assumed to integrate emerging
technologies and innovation into their daily routine to cope with the threats and challenges
posed by ICTs by improving their business models within the smart city ecosystem.
Digital transformation is necessary not only for being a smart and sustainable city but also for
having the inputs and feedback from the stakeholders in public decision-making processes that
cover design and implementation of policies and services. Therefore, cities around the globe are
expected to start and sustain their digital transformations to have the support of their inhabitants
by employing ways and manners prioritizing public values such as efficiency, accessibility,
balancing the interests of stakeholders, and betterment of public services provided.

This report, prepared in close collaboration with all the partners under the guidance of the
U4SSC Secretariat, aims to provide the local governments and respective stakeholders with
overall guidance that includes stages and technical aspects to assist them in their journeys to
achieve digital transformation in the design and implementation of the Smart Sustainable City
framework.

The Enabling digital transformation in smart sustainable cities – Master plan introduces a guiding
framework to follow by local governments and cities around the globe, irrespective of size,
location, or resources available.

Tshilidzi Marwala
Rector of the United Nations University
Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations

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