Transformation must, in a holistic manner, take into account the interplay of the various challenges and innovation drivers, both horizontally and vertically, at local, regional, national and international levels. Cities must join forces, work together with businesses, academia, civic society and, above all, citizens.
The aspirations for digital transition to solve many of the urban challenges should come from the residents and must be echoed in the strategies and carried through procurement and facilitation to allow new digital urban ecosystems to develop and evolve.
ESPON policy brief “Digital Innovation in urban environments” aims to help European, national, regional and urban authorities, businesses, academia and citizens to better understand how digitalization and new technologies can be harnessed. It also supports discussions surrounding digital innovation in cities and urban policy during the EU Finnish Presidency (second semester of 2019).