Alby Bocanegra, Chief Future Officer, and Founder of The Urban Futurist Inc. recently spoke at the Meridian Diplomacy Forum held in Washington DC, where he shared his insights on the challenges cities will face in the next decade regarding urban technology. Following the summit, Bocanegra was interviewed by Victor Gotevbe, Editor-in-Chief, and Pamela Johnson, Vice President of Diplomatic Watch Magazine, where he discussed the same perspective on the challenges cities will face in the next decade.
During the interview, Bocanegra pointed out several issues cities must address, such as the digital and technological divide, cybersecurity threats, the need for a 24-hour city and or nighttime economy, demographic changes, and pilot to-procurement challenges in order to prepare for a better future.
He emphasized the significance of prioritizing these issues to unlock opportunities for residents, small businesses, and sustainable solutions. The interview provides valuable insights into how cities can prepare for the future, and it is a must-read for anyone interested in urban development and technology.
In your role as a Futurist in Residence and an expert in urban technology, what do you believe are the main challenges that cities will face in the next decade and how can they prepare for them?
I believe cities will be faced with more challenges than they ever have in the coming years. The landscape has changed exponentially, and technology is advancing at a pace that hasn’t been seen in quite some time. Throw in rapid urbanization, demand for digital infrastructure, and the need for sustainable solutions into the mix and you have what I think is the perfect storm of challenges for cities. If I had to pick a few key issues that cities need to prioritize in order to prepare for a better future, it would be the following:
Digital & Technological Divide. Equitable access to fast, reliable, and affordable internet is the key to unlocking opportunities for residents and small businesses as well as efficiency in the tech infrastructure and ecosystems that help cities run efficiently. Cities will also need to develop a strategy to upskill their workforce and ensure all have access to advances in technology like AI, which will have a significant impact on the future of work. People need to be able to leverage technology like AI, which is not going anywhere, to be more competitive, so banning and blocking it will only create a new version of a digital divide where access to new technology only becomes available to the few who can afford it and not the many who need it.
Cybersecurity. With the increasing use of technology, cybersecurity threats will become more prevalent. It is important to recognize that as technology evolves, so do cybercriminals. Cities will need to ensure that their infrastructure and data are protected from cyber-attacks and that residents’ privacy is safeguarded. This will require investing in fortifying their cybersecurity posture and developing comprehensive risk management strategies. Transparency and open communication with residents in the event of a cyberattack will be critical in keeping the public informed and strengthening public trust.
The 24-Hour City/Nightime Economy. This is one of the things I am most excited about because it’s a new vertical for cities and only about 100 cities across the world have someone leading this or are investing in it. To me, cities of the future will be 24-Hour cities. Working towards developing governance for a 24-hour city and a thriving night-time economy can bring a multitude of benefits to a city and its residents. Promoting a vibrant night-time economy and creating a 24-hour city can have a positive impact on a city’s overall economy, quality of life, and social fabric. it can significantly boost the city’s economy by increasing employment opportunities and generating more revenue for businesses. A thriving night-time economy can improve the quality of life for city residents. Night-time entertainment options such as bars, restaurants, theaters, and cultural events can provide residents with more opportunities to socialize and enjoy their free time. This can also help to reduce crime rates, as people are more likely to be out and about in public spaces, creating a sense of safety and security. The availability of night-time entertainment options can attract more visitors to the city, which can stimulate the local tourism industry and generate more revenue for the city. The only way this works is if there are city services available for residents, such as transportation, lighting, safety services, and many of the other services residents enjoy during the day that allows them to move through a city.
Changes in Demographics. The world is changing rapidly. Demographic shifts, such as an aging population, increased immigration, and changing household structures, will present new challenges for cities. Cities will need to develop strategies to address the needs of these populations, such as affordable housing, accessible transportation, and social services. An aging workforce within city agencies presents a challenge. Legacy systems will need to be maintained and upgraded, and that requires veteran staff, who also happen to be retirement eligible, to train and develop new leaders. I can’t stress how critical this is and I worry that not enough people are thinking about it, especially because it has an impact on critical infrastructure that is under daily stress from overuse.
Pilot to Procurement Challenges. Cities are closest to residents and usually have the bulk of the responsibility to respond to challenges and implement viable solutions. Many cities are piloting innovative solutions and approaches to common issues, however, the leap from pilot to solution scaling is almost impossible without agility and innovation in the procurement process. To me, this is the single largest barrier to cities being able to move at the speed of technology. There are plenty of brilliant and dedicated people in civil service, but when it comes to implementing an innovative solution, they’re left with the same 5 large not so agile technology vendors to choose from because of rigid procurement guidelines and risk aversion in working with startups. There are so many great technologies and companies developing innovative solutions that may never make it into the public realm because they lack the financial runway, relationships, and understanding of government contracting. Cities will need to revisit procurement guidelines and partnership strategies in order to deliver the best-in-class services and solutions for a rapidly changing resident landscape. Tech is moving at a speed not seen before in quite some time, so the time is now.
What motivated you to establish The Urban Futurist Inc and devote your career to shaping the cities of the future?
Launching TUF Inc was a continuation of my ethos of living my life in service to others. I want to help cities and industries work better together to solve their biggest challenges unincumbered by business objectives. Cities need support now more than ever, so I need to have the freedom to prioritize and solve issues based on their needs and not business outcomes. I know that may sound difficult to do, but I see today’s challenges and tomorrow’s technology as a great opportunity to bring cities to the forefront of the development of all of it and if that means I have to do it without the safety net of a “job” then so be it. I need to be an honest broker of knowledge and partnerships if I am to do what is in the best interest of cities and residents, and the only way to do that is as an independent “Futurist”. I took a risk going off as a solo act, but it’s paying off in a big way. I am fortunate to have many city, industry, academic, and civil society partners across the world that called on me immediately once I announced TUF Inc. I know that has everything to do with me planting seeds of goodwill and building a solid reputation for doing the right thing for cities and partners across the world for years now, but I still feel like the luckiest civic tech nerd of all time. There is so much work to be done, and I want to be the tip of the spear on all things related to the future of cities. I would also like for cities to see the value of having a futurist on staff and eventually make that a permanent position in city halls across the world. I can’t be the only one doing this work!
You have a wealth of experience in creating partnerships with local governments, industry, academia, and civil society. In a fast-paced and ever-changing technological environment, how do you go about developing successful partnerships?
I don’t think there’s a one size fits all approach to building partnerships, but I have learned a few things along the way. The first thing to recognize is that not everyone is in the same place in their journey, whether it be digital rights, nighttime economy, smart cities programs, etc, so finding commonalities and a baseline agreement to a set of principles is important. If you’re creating a set of standards or framework, you need to ensure it can be easily implemented by everyone in your partnership or network so it’s inclusive. You also must be open to different viewpoints and approaches because you may think your viewpoint or methodology is the most accurate, but you have a great opportunity to learn something from everyone you work with. We tend to look at things from our lens, whether it’s our regional perspective, domain expertise, or governance framework. It’s important to come into a partnership or community ready to do a lot of listening and learning because every interaction is important in the journey to building a strong ecosystem of partners. When building partnerships and using technology to connect, I think of it as a supporting act in global discussions. People should be at the center, then let tech be the delivery method for whatever it is you’re doing.
In your capacity as Senior Advisor of Engagement in Africa for the Charter Cities Institute, what role do you see charter cities playing in the development of the African continent?
I can’t emphasize enough how excited I am about CCI’s work and the brilliant people I get to work with there. I was still at my last job when I first met CCI. I had an intro call with the Executive Director about a potential partnership and by the time the call ended I was ready to join their team! I feel that Charter Cities can play a significant role in the development of the African Continent. By develop[ing Charter cities, local governments can attract foreign investment, create local jobs, and improve infrastructure in some of the communities that need it most. This work is not easy, but by creating unique governance structures, cities create a more business-friendly environment and a significant reduction in bureaucratic hurdles can incubate more entrepreneurship. The result could be greater economic growth and increased productivity, benefiting both locals and foreign investors. Everybody wins with a charter cities model if done right. I like to think that the Charter Cities Institute is one of the organizations that is best positioned, knowledge, partnerships, and credibility wise, to help cities in Africa deliver this model in their cities. That’s why I jumped at the chance to join this organization.
You co-founded the Cities Coalition for Digital Rights. How can cities balance the need for data-driven decision-making with safeguarding the privacy and digital rights of their citizens?
It’s a delicate balance. I think safeguarding citizen data is of the utmost importance, but I can’t see how any city could make informed decisions without good data. I believe it starts with data minimization. In simple terms, cities only collect what they need and ensure its stored securely. It’s also important to clean the data and remove any identifying information. The only good data is clean data. Transparency is key. People should know what data of theirs is collected and used. Cities are the stewards of resident information, so they should take that responsibility very seriously and fortunately, I can say firsthand from being there with cities, they do. Not only are municipal data specialists some of the most dedicated public servants, but they are also great at partnering with advocacy groups and locals to ensure they are accountable. Engaging the community is critical and they know it. Lastly, cities should hold themselves accountable and always assess their privacy and data collection practices. Having internal advisory boards and councils review their programs on a regular basis is helpful. Also, partner with the Cities Coalition for Digital Rights if you need help! No one has to do this alone, there are so many communities of practice to help cities reach their goal of having a strong data program.
You have worked on initiatives that focused on stimulating a city’s night-time economy. How do you manage the needs of both residents and businesses, particularly in regions where there are competing interests?
I just want to be clear, I am not a night-time economy practitioner but a few years ago I saw the value and contribution of the night economy so I have made it my mission to find the best and brightest in the space to partner with and get it on every mayor’s priority list as well as on national and global agendas. So we can categorize this as unsolicited advice from a non-practitioner. That being said, I think it starts with open communication and active engagement of the community. I have seen cities like New York, Amsterdam, Bogota, and Philadelphia do this successfully so I know it works. Every municipal leader charged with the nighttime economy should prioritize creating a platform for resident engagement and two-way communication. Analyzing the impact of potential policy or programmatic decisions, hopefully with good data, and sharing that with the community provides transparency and builds trust, which is important when establishing new initiatives. It’s difficult to balance the needs of both residents and businesses, but I believe when done right all can benefit. If common ground can be established and both can see the value that can be created mutually, it creates a strong dynamic that can enable growth and prosperity for businesses and residents. Also recognizing that the relationship between local businesses and residents is a living-breathing thing that has to be constantly nurtured and revisited will ensure the growth is responsible and responsive. Cities are changing rapidly and so are the people that live in them, so it’s iterative and it takes a lot of hard work but it’s work worth doing.
In terms of future plans, which projects or initiatives are you most looking forward to working on?
I have a podcast in the works with Smart Cities Council that I’m super excited about. I’m also spending more time working on Charter Cities Institute initiatives, including growing Africa’s Next 50 Cities Coalition. NXT50 is going to bring much-needed partnerships, resources, and capacity to African cities. Can’t even being to describe my excitement for this work. We have an annual conference in Kigali in December that is going to be a game-changer for cities. Lastly, I am launching a Nighttime economy program in the coming weeks that will bring educational and strategic support to cities looking to build out their nighttime economy office and practice. I have the best and brightest in the space as my partners and we will be the organization to bring this vertical for cities to the forefront and into a global discussion about cities everywhere. Stay tuned!
What advice would you give to individuals or organizations interested in utilizing civic tech to make a positive impact on their communities?
6 words: Always remember to put people first. Ultimately people that live in cities are your “customer”. Technology is just the enabler to delivering prosperity, social good and services. Do what’s best for the resident, and you’ll win. That’s it.
