The digital transformation of our society not only brings technological advancements but also opens up new opportunities to enhance public services with a focus on the common good. Digital technologies such as sensors, mobile apps, and artificial intelligence increasingly demonstrate their potential to make public services more efficient and user-friendly. These innovations generate a wealth of data that administrations can use to make informed decisions. The result is promising approaches to sustainable urban development and the promotion of the common good.
Despite their potential, however, the implementation of digital, data-driven services often faces significant challenges. Legal uncertainties, the lack of a clear organisational framework, and poor integration into existing structures mean that many projects fail to progress beyond the testing phase. Often, they remain as isolated demonstrations of technical solutions, without an overarching concept for scaling and long-term implementation.
That’s where the project "Data & Smart City Governance: Air Quality Management as a Case Study" comes into play. It goes beyond technology, focusing on the critical aspect of data governance. Data governance refers to the management and oversight of data to ensure its safe, lawful, and ethical use for the benefit of society. This includes establishing clear rules, processes, and standards to guarantee data quality, define responsibilities, and reconcile competing interests between administrations, businesses, and citizens.
The Vision: Using Data to Build Better Cities
The project has a clear mission: it’s not just about collecting data but about using it meaningfully to improve urban life, for example through air quality measures. Data-driven approaches enable cities to take targeted action, enhancing the quality of life for their residents. At the same time, the project ensures that these data processes are transparent and equitable by involving all relevant stakeholders from the outset.
A Focus on Air Quality Management
The project uses air quality as a focal point to develop and test various data governance concepts. The goal is to balance competing interests in data collection and use. For example, how can data be shared and utilised without compromising privacy or public interests? By fostering early dialogue among stakeholders, the project helps to mitigate conflicts and build a shared understanding of the opportunities and risks associated with data-driven solutions.
A Practical Guide for the Common Good
The output is far more than a theoretical framework. The project produces a practical data governance guide designed to help local governments implement data-driven projects efficiently, legally, and with a focus on the common good. This guide serves as a tool for cities and municipalities to embed data-driven innovations sustainably while considering the interests of all parties involved.
KWB: Driving Digital Transformation
The Competence Centre for Water Berlin (KWB) plays a key role in this project. We analyse processes and responsibilities in data management and support the theoretical exploration of these issues. Additionally, we facilitate consultation and participation processes to ensure a fair dialogue among all stakeholders.
More Than Just a Project – A Contribution to the Future
With "Data & Smart City Governance: Air Quality Management as a Case Study," KWB and its project partners are making a vital contribution to the digital transformation of the public sector. The data-driven negotiation processes developed in the project not only make smart cities more efficient but also ensure that innovative solutions are more aligned with the common good. This project demonstrates that data-driven approaches can advance technology while also sustainably improving people's lives.
