Digitalisation has entered many areas of modern life: from street cleaning, energy supply, schools and transport to health care, food supplies, e city’s general administration. None of this can happen without the relevant information and communication technologies. The Digital Agenda Vienna initiative arose from the result of a collective working process between citizens, Vienna City Administration and entrepreneurs. Over a period of several months, interested citizens were involved in the development of ideas via an interactive online participation platform. More than 100 well-thought-out ideas have been submitted. They were discussed in working groups and their feasibility was examined. The collaboration has been made possible through smart technologies and a departure from traditional working methods. When new technologies and new thinking come together, extraordinary things become possible.
The framework strategy was developed by a team of experts from the city administration and external partners. In 2013, based on the input from a multi-stakholderprocess the city of Vienna decided to create the Smart City Wien framework strategy which was adopted by the city council in June 2014. The Smart City Wien framework strategy defines goals for the development of a city that assigns priority to, and interlinks, the issues of energy, mobility, buildings and infrastructure. The framework strategy defines one meta goal for 2050 which is the best quality of life for all inhabitants of Vienna, while minimizing the consumption of resources. The Smart City Wien Framework Strategy identifies three main areas: Resources, Quality of Life, and Innovation. Each central aspect of the Smart City Wien Strategy is represented by an overarching goal that is to be attained by means of detailed targets. It establishes a conducive, long-term and structural framework that will exist alongside other documents, plans, programs and projects.
Numerous projects and applications have already been implemented, including the official wien.at live app, the initiative DigitalCity.Wien and a smart infrastructure for everyone via more than 400 wien.at public WLAN hotspots. The city assigns high priority to various sectors but is also working on a Smart City Wien framework strategy related to both the generic and infrastructure character of ICT and the role of ICT in shaping multiple services in an innovative world.
The city views itself as an advanced client, provider and enabler of digital services. In this context, Vienna is committed to the open government principle and the related concepts of participation and transparency, but also to data security. This encourages the further development of high-quality e-government services for Vienna, involving vital issues such as the Virtual Office and the open government data catalogue. The idea has generated huge interest on an international scale, and innovative applications will be created for the benefit of citizens in sectors like energy, health, culture, environment, transport or housing, thus boosting levels of digital interaction for both citizens and businesses.