This article introduces the case of the Digital Infrastructure Strategic Framework, developed by the City of Toronto in Canada, showcasing how local governments can responsibly guide the implementation of digital infrastructure within their cities.
Digital infrastructure includes all technology assets that operate with data or information in digital form, as well as all data collected or used by those technology assets. Examples include sensors, mobile apps, and digital kiosks. These tools not only change the way we work and share information, but they may also raise potential concerns about cybersecurity and the digital divide.
A digitally connected community
The Digital Infrastructure Strategic Framework was developed based on the city’s vision to become a digital connected community. Recognizing the rising issues like inequality and digital divide in the city, the government of Toronto established this vision where technology is enabled to improve the quality of life of residents.
For example, in a digital connected community, digital infrastructure is used to deliver services, help manage public resources, facilitate civic engagement, and inform decision-making. To achieve this vision, it is crucial that digital infrastructure is applied to the right problem and deployed and operated responsibly to realize its benefits.
The key to become a digital connected community is when people can trust digital services and feel comfortable and safe when using digital infrastructure. Non-technical alternatives and pubic buy-in are also essential for success. In this effort, the city has introduced programs like ConnecTO to provide free public WI-FI, publishes reports on the digital divide, celebrates Digital Inclusion Week, and joined the City Coalition for Digital Rights to develop digital rights-based policy making.
Credit: the City of Toronto
Aim and applications of the Digital Infrastructure Strategic Framework
The Digital Infrastructure Strategic Framework is a corporate-wide tool to facilitate consistent decision-making related to the city’s digital infrastructure. Approved by the city council in 2022, it establishes a principles-based approach to decision-making associated with digital infrastructure. The framework is applied to all new city digital infrastructure initiatives.
The Digital Infrastructure Strategic Framework aims to define the objectives, aspirations, and values associated with the use of digital infrastructure in Toronto. These elements guide the framework in a direction that satisfies key principles, which will be detailed later.
The framework targeted the following audience.
- City staff: the framework guides them in designing, planning, and implementing the city’s digital infrastructure. Toronto establishes a dedicated team to collaborate with city departments on digital infrastructure initiatives that align with the city’s priorities and the strategic framework.
- Residents: the framework helps them ask questions about digital infrastructure and enhance transparency in the use of data. It sets out a shared vision, such as equity, inclusion, and the benefits of digital infrastructure.
- Business, corporations, and vendors: the framework establishes shared standards and expectations for the city’s digital infrastructure initiatives.
The framework will be applied to the use of digital infrastructure within Toronto’s city operations, such as providing public services, procuring digital infrastructure, and establishing regulations related to digital infrastructure.
Structure
The Digital Infrastructure Strategic Framework outlines principles, vision, strategic priorities, objectives, and implementation considerations to guide the development of digital infrastructure initiatives.
Credit: The City of Toronto
Principles
During the development of the framework, three guiding principles were adopted. These principles are:
- Equity and inclusion: ensuring digital infrastructure promotes equity, inclusion, accessibility, and human rights by being flexible, adaptable, interoperable, and responsive to all residents’ needs, including equity-seeking groups, indigenous people, accessibility needs, and vulnerable populations.
- A well-run city: ensuring digital infrastructure supports high-quality, resilient, and innovative public services and evidence-based decision-making.
- Societal, economic, and environmental benefits: ensuring digital infrastructure benefits society, economy, and environment.
- Privacy and security: ensures digital infrastructure protects individual privacy per legislation, safeguarding residents from misuse, hacks, thefts, and breaches.
- Democracy and transparency: ensures decisions on digital infrastructure are democratic, ethical, transparent, accountable, and oversighted. The city should also provide clear, timely, and accurate info on technologies and opportunities.
- Digital autonomy: the city should maintain control in the selection, use, and design in digital infrastructure.
Credit: the City of Toronto
Cases
To support the principles of democracy and transparency, the City of Toronto has launched the Digital Citizen Advisor program, where volunteers can contribute feedback on the development of new and evolving digital municipal services.
It also includes the Open Data Master Plan and an open data visualization portal featuring more than 400 datasets. Regarding the principles of privacy and security, privacy impact assessments are regularly carried out to implement privacy-by-design. A thorough review and analysis will be coordinated to identify and address privacy risks.
Lessons learnt
The case of the Digital Infrastructure Strategic Framework in the city of Toronto provides valuable lessons for local governments integrating digital technologies into urban management.
- Build trust through openness: transparency builds trust in digital systems. Open data, citizen advisory programmes, and visible consultations help residents understand and trust how technology is used.
- Align with local realities: a framework is most effective when rooted in real urban challenges. Toronto addressed its growing digital divide by incorporating equity and inclusion into its principles and promoting affordable connectivity.
- Keep frameworks dynamic: digital governance must evolve with technology and community needs. Toronto keeps engagement and updates its framework regularly, ensuring decisions are transparent, inclusive, and accountable.
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