Solving complex urban problems together with residents
In a City or Multi-Challenge, cities work together with their residents to identify and
then
collaboratively
implement solutions to contemporary urban challenges, such as climate change and sustainability, public
health and
equity, congestion and pollution, structural racism and civic engagement.
Increasing urbanization necessitates innovative expertise and agility to create effective
and, above all,
efficiently implementable solutions. By creating the “conversational infrastructure” — method and tools —
to
source and implement novel approaches from civil servants and the public, the hope is to solve problems while
strengthening participatory democracy.
STAGE 1
Training for public servants in defining problems with data and evidence
STAGE 2
An open innovation competition to source solutions from residents
STAGE 3
A coaching program for residents and public servants to develop those solutions collaboratively
STAGE 4
Support for cities to implement the innovative new policy or service
Partner(s): United Nations Development Programme
Cities: Accra, Ghana; Bahir Dar, Ethiopia; Kampala, Uganda; Kano, Nigeria and Mutare, Zimbabwe
Issues: Digitizing the informal economy, building urban resilience, and improving waste management.
Partner(s): Tinker Foundation, Instituto Mexicano para la Competitividad, Monash Sustainable Development
Institute, Consejo Nuevo León, Transparencia Mexicana, Augmented Democracy
Cities: Hermosillo, Reynosa, San Nicolás de los Garza, San Pedro Garza García and Torreón
Issues: Improving transportation sustainability, COVID-19 response, and innovations in waste management.
Partner(s): Codeando México
Cities: San Pedro Garza García, Mexico
Issues: Mobility crisis, pollution reduction, improved governance and enhanced public spaces.