CITY CHALLENGE

Solving complex urban problems together with residents

DOWNLOAD THE ONE-PAGER

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.

PROCESS

STAGE 1

PROBLEM DEFINITION

Training for public servants in defining problems with data and evidence

STAGE 2

CHALLENGE

An open innovation competition to source solutions from residents

STAGE 3

CO-DESIGN

A coaching program for residents and public servants to develop those solutions collaboratively

STAGE 4

IMPLEMENTATION

Support for cities to implement the innovative new policy or service

PAST PROJECTS

MULTI-CITY CHALLENGE: AFRICA

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.

VISIT WEBSITE

MULTI-CITY CHALLENGE: MEXICO

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.

VISIT WEBSITE

DESAFIÓS: SAN PEDRO

Partner(s): Codeando México
Cities: San Pedro Garza García, Mexico
Issues: Mobility crisis, pollution reduction, improved governance and enhanced public spaces.

VISIT WEBSITE

IN THE NEWS