Ideas to make City smarter sought

IF YOU’RE sitting with an idea that you think would revolutionise the way the City manages public safety, electricity, water management or infrastructure managing, then the City wants to hear from you.

The City of Cape Town has issued a request for ideas on how it can use digital technology and data to enhance its performance and take the City into the smart age.

Information and ideas are sought on any products or technologies that could improve existing infrastructure and data.

Ideas will be welcomed from innovators, technologists, advertising agencies, social entrepreneurs, engineers, architects, designers and all general enthusiasts. One necessary requirement for ideas is that they take advantage of the City’s investment in fibre, the CCTV camera network and wi-fi connectivity.

“Thinking outside the box and developing these solutions will help us move Cape Town from good to great.

“The City has the data and the digital technology available to enhance service delivery. Let us make use of what’s available to develop long-term solutions to enhance the lives of Capetonians.

“We look forward to some brilliant ideas,” said the City’s mayoral committee member for corporate services, councillor Raelene Arendse.

Areas of interest for improvement include transportation and integrated urban development; water and waste management; using cloud computing technology to address social challenges; public safety; infrastructure planning and maintenance; and energy efficiency.

Arendse stressed that the request for ideas was not a request for proposal or an invitation for a bid and did not restrict the City of Cape Town of its eventual implementation. All information received wouls be used only for planning purposes.

“Those whose ideas are used will receive recognition for it and we will invite all participants who submit ideas to have a formal session, and we will provide a way forward,” said Arendse.

Those interested have until February 16 to submit their ideas via the City’s Have Your Say platform here: http://www.capetown.gov.za/ City-Connect/ Have-your-say/ requests-for-information/ submit-technology-and-data-ideas-for-a-digital-smartcity