Using Digital Technology for a Green and Just Recovery in Cities

The report argues that cities must shift from a technocratic, technology-first approach to a people-centered, outcome-oriented strategy for digitalization. It emphasizes that digital transformation requires not just infrastructure, but a fundamental shift in leadership, organizational culture, and digital literacy across all city departments. The document outlines a framework for data-driven decision-making, the use of digital twins for simulation, and the importance of inclusive design to prevent the digital divide. It concludes with a 10-step action plan and a digital maturity model to help municipal administrations transition from reactive to proactive service delivery.

• Many 'smart city' initiatives have failed because they adopted a top-down, technocratic approach that prioritized technology over the actual needs of citizens.
• Cities should adopt an outcome-oriented approach to digitalization, starting with the identification of unmet citizen needs rather than the capabilities of the technology itself.
• Digital transformation requires a shift in organizational structure, moving from treating IT as a back-office function to establishing dedicated digital leadership, such as Chief Digital or Technology Officers, at the top of the organization.
• To avoid a digital divide, cities must ensure that digital solutions are co-created with diverse stakeholders and that non-digital alternatives are maintained during the transition phase.
• The use of real-time data, advanced analytics, and digital twins allows cities to move from reactive to proactive service delivery, which can reduce costs and improve quality of life, such as through preventative healthcare.
• Digital maturity in cities is measured across governance, organization, people, and technology, with 'advanced' cities characterized by aligned cross-departmental strategies and a culture of evidence-based decision-making.
• Innovative financing models, such as outcome-based or consumption-based financing, can help cities implement digital projects despite tightening budgets.
• The COVID-19 pandemic acted as a catalyst for urban innovation, forcing cities to rapidly adopt remote work, telemedicine, and digital citizen communication platforms.

APA

World Economic Forum (2022). Using Digital Technology for a Green and Just Recovery in Cities. https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_C4IR_GFC_on_Cities_Digital_Technology_2022.pdf

Chicago

World Economic Forum. Using Digital Technology for a Green and Just Recovery in Cities. 2022. https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_C4IR_GFC_on_Cities_Digital_Technology_2022.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Economic Forum |title=Using Digital Technology for a Green and Just Recovery in Cities |date=August 2022 |url=https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_C4IR_GFC_on_Cities_Digital_Technology_2022.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldeconomicforum2022using, author = {{World Economic Forum}}, title = {{Using Digital Technology for a Green and Just Recovery in Cities}}, institution = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2022}, month = aug, url = {https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_C4IR_GFC_on_Cities_Digital_Technology_2022.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }