Smart City Poznań consultation meeting — summary, 10 June 2019

This is a summary of the Smart City Poznań consultation meeting held on 10 June 2019 at the initiative of Wielkopolskie Centrum Wspierania Inwestycji, with the participation of the City of Poznań and members of the Poznań Metropolitan Economic Forum. The discussions identified several priorities shared by residents. These included communication, both transport and the clear provision of information. Participants also highlighted environmental issues, particularly smog; more greenery in urban architecture; education; and feedback from the City, so that residents can see that their concerns are being addressed. Feedback may also encourage residents to help shape decisions about the city. Participants noted that, when discussing “the city”, they often actually mean the City Office.

Issues discussed

Consistency and continuity in communication. Participants noted that the language used on the City’s websites is often difficult to understand because it refers to specific legal provisions.
Making information easy to find on municipal websites.
Keeping urban spaces open rather than creating gated housing developments.
Combining several applications into one, particularly for public transport. This could encourage residents to use a wider range of municipal transport services.
Remote services for residents through an e-office. These should be promoted and improved, as many residents do not have time, or do not wish, to visit an office in person.
A city that is self-sufficient, quiet and less polluted.
Taking a sufficiently long-term view of urban management. The vision for the city should look 20–30 years ahead.
Concerns about advertising installed without an overall concept and in unsuitable locations.
Industry 4.0 and the role it could play in a smart city.
A knowledge-sharing platform for different initiatives. There is currently no single place to find this information.
A lack of cooperation among local businesses, despite good business–academia and business–local government cooperation between some organisations.
The need for a leader in the city or region. The City of Poznań should initiate cooperation across residents, academia, businesses and local government.
A collaboration and knowledge platform open to everyone.
Breaking down organisational silos, identified as a fundamental issue in public offices and their openness to residents.
Residents need specific information and often lack time to participate in city life in person. An efficient, transparent knowledge platform can make it easier to get things done and may encourage practical involvement.
People may be reluctant to participate because they do not see the results of their work and often feel that their views are not ultimately taken into account.
Consistency in the City’s internal management, communication with residents and creation of good places to live.

The key themes for further work are consistency, feedback, communication, the e-office and the environment.

Rafał Ratajczak, Smart City Manager, Wielkopolskie Centrum Wspierania Inwestycji sp. z o.o.