DigiPlace

Digital Innovation for Cities

The DigiPlace network is one of 23 “Action Planning Networks” approved by URBACT in autumn 2019. Led by the City of Messina (Sicily, Italy) and involving a total of eight cities from across Europe, this network is looking at Digital Innovation in Cities, with a particular focus on how smaller and medium-sized cities make the most of digital opportunities when faced with limited resources and when operating in the shadow of bigger neighbours.

Ian was approached by the City of Messina to act as the URBACT Lead Expert for the project, establishing the baseline position of the network, supporting the Messina team with the planning and running of the learning and exchange activities and coaching/mentoring all the cities as they develop and execute an actoin plan for the use of digital technologies.

Phase 1 of the project has now been completed, with the Phase 2 beginning in June 2017 and running for two years through to June 2019.

You can read the initial article Ian has written about the project - getting smart about digital innovation - on the project pages on the URBACT website.