This training aims to build the capacities of city-practitioners and policy-makers to understand the main concepts and challenges associated with digital transitions in a few key policy areas. The goal is to help them feel more comfortable in considering digital tools and new technologies as a way of delivering against policy goals.
The training isn’t for seasoned ‘techies’. Rather, it targets people who might self-define as tech ‘newbies’ and/or people from smaller and medium sized cities. This is because these are the places which have most to gain from understanding and embracing digital transition. The training has been developed by the TechPlace community, which is an online place for city practitioners and policy makers wanting to make a positive difference using tech. We’re building a community of interest and a safe place to exchange, learn and ask stupid questions. We welcome practitioners from across all URBACT cities and beyond.
Discover the course
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2 - Digital Environment
In this module we give you a brief overview of the complexity of environmental challenges vis-à-vis urban and territorial policies and practice, and examples of key tech tools that support the effort to reduce environmental harm, carbon footprint and emissions caused by human activities.
2 - Digital Environment
In this module we give you a brief overview of the complexity of environmental challenges vis-à-vis urban and territorial policies and practice, and examples of key tech tools that support the effort to reduce environmental harm, carbon footprint and emissions caused by human activities.
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3 - Digital Society
Find out how cities can promote a just and inclusive digital society and empower the digital community, by providing accessible public services and fostering active citizenship through engagement in urban topics and development.
3 - Digital Society
Find out how cities can promote a just and inclusive digital society and empower the digital community, by providing accessible public services and fostering active citizenship through engagement in urban topics and development.
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4 - Digital Governance
This module aims to explore what digital transition in governmental structures and organisations refers to, how it can be implemented and what decision makers need to keep in mind when introducing it.
4 - Digital Governance
This module aims to explore what digital transition in governmental structures and organisations refers to, how it can be implemented and what decision makers need to keep in mind when introducing it.
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5 - Digital Economy
This module aims to explore what a digital economy is, what role the city might play in growing a digital economy and how to make it happen.
5 - Digital Economy
This module aims to explore what a digital economy is, what role the city might play in growing a digital economy and how to make it happen.
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6 - Agile City Leadership
This final video introduces the origins of the Agile working method and its principles, and explains how it can help cities with the digital transition.
6 - Agile City Leadership
This final video introduces the origins of the Agile working method and its principles, and explains how it can help cities with the digital transition.
The training is broken down into the following 6 modules:
- Demystifying Tech - introducing eight essential tech terms - IoT, AI, Robots, Drones, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Blockchain and 3D Printing
- Digital Environment - exploring how digital tools can help us cope better with today’s challenges related to climate.
- Digital Society - exploring how tech and digitalisation are shaping society and how society is shaping digitalisation
- Digital Government - exploring what digital transformation means for governmental structures and organisations and why it is important.
- Digital Economy - exploring what a digital economy is, what role the city might play in growing a digital economy and how to make it happen.
- Agile City Leadership - reflecting on how cities might use agile methodologies to be more responsive to ever changing needs
For each module there is a short video or webinar, written and video case studies, city use cases plus a range of handouts and some short tasks to help you check your understanding and progress.
The modules are designed to be used together or in isolation so you can dip in and out or watch from the beginning to the end.