{"id":4989,"date":"2020-06-04T10:54:51","date_gmt":"2020-06-04T08:54:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ditech.media\/?p=4989"},"modified":"2020-06-11T09:37:59","modified_gmt":"2020-06-11T07:37:59","slug":"joining-forces-to-drive-sustainable-digital-transformation-in-cities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ditech.media\/news\/smart-cities-and-buildings\/joining-forces-to-drive-sustainable-digital-transformation-in-cities\/","title":{"rendered":"Joining Forces to Drive Sustainable Digital Transformation in Cities"},"content":{"rendered":"

While many initiatives have led to successful innovative digital solutions, their impact on society remains limited and unevenly distributed. Expanding these solutions is crucial to helping cities and communities meet their climate goals and reduce environmental impact among other benefits.<\/span><\/p>\n

To encourage the adoption of Smart Cities Solutions across Europe, more than sixty (60) cities in the European Union have signed the Join, Boost, Sustain Declaration (<\/span>www.living-in.eu\/declaration<\/span><\/a>) , so that together, they can promote and accelerate this process. The resolution also aims to encourage citizen participation and rely on helping all kinds of companies to thrive, including\u00a0 SMEs and start-ups. As expressed in the\u00a0 statement:<\/span><\/p>\n

“It is time for all levels of government in the EU to join forces to expand digital solutions so that at least 300 million Europeans can enjoy a better quality of life by 2025. Encouraging the use of digital solutions commonly agreed between regions, cities and communities will help close the digital divide and reduce inequalities by stronger territorial cohesion.”<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

The signing of the Declaration officially began during the<\/span> Oulu Boost<\/span><\/a> in Finland in December, 2019 and continued online until the Cities <\/span>Forum<\/span> in\u00a0 <\/span>Porto<\/span><\/a>, Portugal,\u00a0 which took place on January 31, 2020. It is the first post-Brexit agreement, and it represents an important point for Europe\u00a0 to have sustainable development through a different dialogue between governments and citizens<\/span><\/p>\n

My friend Jorge Saraiva, citizen of Braga in Portugal and one of the great European leaders promoting public policies for Smart City adoption, was one of the participants of this meeting in O Porto. Here some of his words:<\/span><\/p>\n

“<\/span>First, you have to understand each other directly with cities: they represent almost 70% of the EU population! If we want a direct dialogue with Europeans, cities are the channel. Reducing intermediaries is a necessity.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Second, we must develop an understanding, an effective form of communication. The EU has a mission, more than ever and with little margin of error. The mission is sustainable progress! The EU should set the targets of the. European Mission and cities must contribute directly to these targets.”<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

The fundamental principles of this agreement include:<\/span><\/p>\n