Disclaimer:
Please be aware that the content herein has not been peer reviewed. It consists of personal reflections, insights, and learnings of the contributor(s). It may not be exhaustive, nor does it aim to be authoritative knowledge.
Title
Please provide a name for your action learning plan.
Smart Cities Portfolio: Integrating Digital Twin and Open Innovation for Sustainable Urban Development
Challenge statement
Challenge type: If you are working on multiple challenges, please indicate if this is your "big bet" or "exploratory" challenge.
Please note: we ask you to only submit a maximum of 3 challenges - 1x Big Bet, 2x Exploratory. Each challenge must be submitted individually.
BIG BET
Challenge statement: What is your challenge? (Please answer in specific terms: "Our challenge is that...”.)
Our challenge is to create a transformative urban development model that integrates digital twin technology and innovative digital governance at the local level. This involves systematic engagement in joint reflection, research, and training modules to consolidate expertise in urban smart solutions, and crafting a unified vision for Territory Data management, focusing on fostering innovation and impactful deliverables.
Background: What is the history of your challenge? What is causing or driving it? Who is involved? How does the current situation look like? What undesired effects does it produce?
Our initiative addresses the multifaceted challenges of urban development, including water management, sustainable transportation, energy efficiency, and digital inclusion. This effort is rooted in our lab's extensive work on Green and SDG bonds, financial and digital inclusions, and innovative SDG finance methods.
Quantitative evidence: What (official) data sources do you have on this challenge that better exemplifies the importance and urgency of this frontier challenge? You can add text, a link, or a picture.
Water Management: Morocco fac esits worst drought in 30 years, with a 40% decrease in average annual rainfall and a 60% increase in water demand over the past two decades.
Sustainable Transportation: Urban areas report a 30% increase in traffic congestion, contributing to a 20% rise in carbon emissions.
Energy Efficiency: Only 15% of urban buildings meet energy efficiency standards, leading to a 25% excess in energy consumption.
Digital Inclusion: Approximately 35% of the urban population lacks access to reliable digital infrastructure.
Qualitative evidence: What weak signals have you recently spotted that characterizes its urgency? Please provide qualitative information that better exemplifies the importance and urgency of this frontier challenge. You can add text, a link, or a picture.
The need for a comprehensive approach to urban challenges is evident in the growing demand for innovative solutions.
This includes the development of digital twin technology for real-time urban management and the creation of inclusive, sustainable urban spaces.
Value proposition: What added value or unique value proposition is your Accelerator Lab bringing to solving this challenge? Why is it your Lab that needs to work on this challenge and not other actors within UNDP, other stakeholders in the country respectively? Why is it worth investing resources to this challenge?
Our lab offers a unique approach by integrating diverse urban challenges into a cohesive smart city model. We emphasize human-centric technology solutions and multi-layered stakeholder consultations, ensuring that our innovations are inclusive and sustainable.
Short “tweet” summary: We would like to tweet what you are working on, can you summarize your challenge in a maximum of 280 characters?
Redefining urban development in Morocco with a focus on sustainability and inclusivity, leveraging digital twin technology and innovative governance for impactful urban solutions.
Partners
Who are your top 5 partners for this challenge? Please submit from MOST to LEAST important and state Name, Sector and a brief description of the (intended) collaboration.
Please state the name of the partner:
Local Development Company Majal Berkane (government owned private company)
What sector does our partner belong to?
Private Sector
Please provide a brief description of the collaboration.
Majal is a public start-up entity dedicated to extending structured assistance to local authorities in the realms of innovation and territorial intelligence. Recognized as a pioneering institutional arm within Morocco, its mandate encompasses facilitating local authorities' adoption of avant-garde technologies to enhance operational efficiency, sustainability, and resilience. MAJAL BERKANE provides cutting-edge methodologies for the acquisition, analysis, and visualization of urban data, thereby aiding in more informed decision-making processes. Moreover, MAJAL BERKANE plays a pivotal role in incubating startups, fostering the next generation of innovative solutions for urban development challenges; our aim is to support Majal and build its capabilities through the implementation of the Digital Twin.
Is this a new and unusual partner for UNDP?
Yes
Who are your top 5 partners for this challenge? Please submit from MOST to LEAST important and state Name, Sector and a brief description of the (intended) collaboration.
Please state the name of the partner:
Berkane Province
What sector does our partner belong to?
Government (&related)
Please provide a brief description of the collaboration.
The Province of Berkane recognizes the value and significance of such developmental cooperation, and firmly believes that these joint endeavours can play a pivotal role in fulfilling its strategic imperatives. As such, the Province of Berkane has been proactive in endorsing and encouraging the formulation of cooperation agreements with partners active in this domain; we aim to work with the Province to build an integrated e-governance and smart urban development model, to be replicated to other territories.
Is this a new and unusual partner for UNDP?
Yes
Learning questions
Learning question: What is your learning question for this challenge? What do you need to know or understand to work on your challenge statement?
1. How can digital twin technology be utilized to optimize urban resource management?
2. What strategies can be developed for sustainable urban transportation and energy efficiency?
3. How can we enhance digital inclusion in urban areas through innovative governance models?
To what stage(s) in the learning cycle does your learning question relate?
Sense, Explore
Usage of methods: Relating to your choice above, how will you use your methods & tools for this learning question? What value do these add in answering your learning question?
1. Social Media Analysis
Usage: Analyze public sentiment and gather insights on urban issues from social media platforms. This method will be used to understand public opinion and concerns regarding urban resource management, transportation, and digital inclusion.
Value: Provides real-time, large-scale feedback from citizens, offering a diverse range of perspectives and experiences. Helps in identifying emerging trends and issues that might not be captured through traditional data sources.
2. Smart Cities
Usage: Implement smart city technologies, including IoT devices and sensors, to collect data on urban resource usage, traffic patterns, and energy consumption. This will inform strategies for optimizing urban resource management and developing sustainable transportation.
Value: Enables the collection of precise, real-time data on various aspects of city life, leading to more informed decision-making and
efficient urban planning.
3. Data Visualization
Usage: Transform complex datasets into understandable and actionable visual formats. This will be particularly useful in communicating findings related to digital twin technology and its impact on urban planning.
Value: Enhances the understanding of complex data and trends, making it easier for stakeholders to grasp key insights and make informed decisions.
4. Citizen Science
Usage: Engage the public in data collection and analysis activities. This approach will be used to gather localized data on urban challenges and to involve citizens in the development of digital inclusion initiatives.
Value: Fosters community engagement and empowerment, ensuring that solutions are grounded in the actual needs and experiences of the residents. Enhances the relevance and acceptance of urban development projects.
5. Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning
Usage: Utilize AI/ML algorithms to analyze large datasets for pattern recognition, predictive analytics, and optimization in urban resource management and transportation systems.
Value: Offers the ability to process and analyze large volumes of data efficiently, leading to more accurate predictions and smarter resource allocation. AI can identify patterns and correlations that are not immediately apparent, providing deeper insights into urban dynamics.
Existing data gaps: Relating to your choice above, what existing gaps in data or information do these new sources of data addressing? What value do these add in answering your learning question?
Addressing the lack of comprehensive data in key areas such as sustainable transportation, energy efficiency, and digital infrastructure in urban settings.
Closing
Early leads to grow: Think about the possible grow phase for this challenge - who might benefit from your work on this challenge or who might be the champions in your country that you should inform or collaborate with early on to help you grow this challenge?
The smart cities portfolio will be expanded for future collaborations, focusing on scalable and sustainable urban development models. the outcomes of this portfolio will feed into the diverse programmatic pillars. Fostering joint reflection, research, and training to build expertise in urban smart solutions. Developing pioneering strategies for Territory Data management to drive innovation and impactful urban development.
END OF ACTION LEARNING PLAN: Thank you! The form saves automatically and your submission has been recorded. You may now exit this window.
9Industry, innovation and infrastructure
11Sustainable cities and communities
13Climate action
