Richard Gevers
Facilitator
Empowering Cities for the Digital Age - Lessons from a data-driven resilience approach in Southern African Cities and towns
Join our panel at WUF12 to explore how data-driven planning enhances urban resilience in cities like Durban, Cape Town, Rehoboth, and Rundu. We'll showcase & discuss digital tools and strategies for inclusive, sustainable development.
November 7, 2024 | 09:00 - 10:30
Voices from Cities - room D
Open Cities Lab
South Africa
English
Reference:
VC-D 11
Summary
This panel brings together representatives from South African and Namibian cities, Open Cities Lab, UK Government (FCDO), GIZ, and UNITAC to discuss the successes and challenges of implementing digital solutions and data-driven urban governance. Topics include digital tools for efficient government operations, applying gender and social inclusion principles, and fostering agile governance in rapidly urbanizing areas. Key achievements such as Cape Town's revamped data strategy, eThekwini's Council Resolution App, and the piloting of a digital data management system in Rehoboth and Rundu. The session will also address public-private partnerships, community participation, and share scalable models for inclusive urban development.
Objectives
-- Highlight first-year progress in eThekwini, Cape Town, Reheboth and Rundu, focusing on data collection and management, capacity building, and stakeholder engagement.
-- Explore user-centered design and agile methods that shaped effective, context-specific data strategies and tool development.
-- Address challenges like municipal instability and vendor lock-in, offering solutions such as governance restructuring and open-source platforms.
-- Share scalable frameworks, like Responsible Tech Principles and GESI scorecards, for replicating success in other cities.
-- Ensure inclusivity by applying GESI scorecards in tech projects to benefit marginalized groups.
-- Inspire global adaptation of data-driven approaches for human-centric, accessible urban development.
-- Showcase the impact of localized data collection for better urban planning and resilience.
Partners
Organization
Country
Open Cities Lab
South Africa
UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office
United Kingdom
GIZ Namibia
Namibia
United Nations Innovation Technology Accelerator for Cities - UNITAC Hamburg
Germany
Session panelists
Panelist
Role
Organization
Country
Ms. Shabari Shaily-Gerber
Head, Urban Economic Development
UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office
Ms. Nevana Srikissoon
Manager: Projects at eThekwini Municipality
eThekwini Municipality