U4SSC – Building digital public infrastructure for cities and communities

Digital public infrastructure (DPI) provides the foundation for smart cities to thrive. The U4SSC deliverable, Building digital public infrastructure for cities and communities: A strategic framework for city leaders, officials, ministers, and policymakers explores how robust foundational technologies can transform urban governance and everyday civic engagement.

This strategic guide highlights the promising potential of interoperable systems, such as digital IDs, universal payment gateways, and secure data-sharing platforms, to make cities more inclusive, responsive, and citizen-centric. It underscores the necessity of deploying scalable and well-governed DPI to effectively bridge the digital divide and radically improve public service delivery. Crucially, the publication goes beyond technical specifications to examine the enabling mechanisms required for long-term success. It provides actionable guidance for policymakers on crafting essential policy frameworks, establishing oversight bodies, and fostering stakeholder participation to ensure these systems remain trusted and accountable. For city leaders striving to advance the Sustainable Development Goals, this report serves as an indispensable blueprint for future-proofing urban development through secure and equitable digital infrastructure.

More information available at: https://u4ssc.itu.int/