More and more cities around the world are using inclusive and participatory digital tools for city management.
In January 2025, UNDP’s SDG Local Solutions webinar had the opportunity to learn more about the experiences of Montevideo in Uruguay and Turin, Italy, where its University has created innovative tools to bridge the gap between governments and citizens. The session highlighted challenges, solutions and lessons learnt for effectively implementing participatory technologies in managing city services.
Watch the webinar in English, French, or Spanish!
Montevideo: leveraging platforms for community engagement
For over a decade, Montevideo has been at the forefront of digital participation. Thanks to Montevideo Participa, the city involves citizens in decision-making through consultative, proactive, and decisive participation.
Solutions:
- Using open-source software like Consul to create flexible and user-friendly platforms.
- Encouraging participatory budgeting allows citizens as young as 16 to vote on proposed community projects.
- Establishing projects such as food distribution networks (“popular pots”) during the COVID-19 crisis, co-designed with citizens and backed by training programs.
Challenges:
- Balancing participation among diverse socio-economic groups to ensure equity.
- Translating online discussions into actionable public policies.
- Addressing concerns regarding data transparency and the necessity for moderation.
Despite these challenges, Montevideo’s experience highlights the importance of co-designing spaces and encouraging meaningful citizen engagement.
Turin: academic-driven civic technologies
The University of Turin has developed innovative tools, such as First Life and CommonsHud, through interdisciplinary collaboration. These tools aim to bridge digital and physical spaces for active citizenship.
Solutions:
- First Life offers a social network-like map that allows citizens to share events, services, and public projects specific to their neighborhoods.
- CommonsHud empowers communities by enabling them to create tokens to reward volunteer efforts or promote local economies.
- It leverages European and local funding to implement school projects, encourage co-creation, and integrate augmented reality into urban initiatives.
Challenges:
- Ensuring digital inclusivity and addressing barriers such as digital inequality.
- Maintaining ethical practices regarding data usage and privacy.
- Aligning the capabilities of civic technologies with the needs and resources of municipalities.
Turin’s academic approach emphasizes the strength of integrating research, public funding, and community collaboration.
Key learnings
The experiences of Montevideo and Turin offer crucial insights for cities seeking to implement participatory tools:
- Inclusive design: digital platforms must accommodate diverse needs, ensuring no one is overlooked.
- Partnerships: cooperation among governments, academia, and citizens is vital for scalable and sustainable solutions.
- Iteration: participation tools should adapt based on user feedback and technological advancements.
- Ethics: transparency, privacy, and ethical considerations must direct the deployment of technologies.
Conclusion
As the webinar highlighted, the future of urban governance relies on leveraging technology to empower citizens while promoting trust and inclusivity. From Montevideo’s community-driven initiatives to Turin’s academic innovations, these experiences showcase the transformative potential of participatory tools. By focusing on collaboration, inclusiveness, and ethics, digital transformation can serve as a force for equality and resilience in cities across the globe.