The TICC Cities Charter

Introduction

The TICCCITIES charters are designed to guide cities and organisations in adopting and providing technology solutions that are community-centric and outcome-focused. By following the charter’s principles within your own planning and project frameworks, cities and their partners can ensure that their projects prioritise citizen experiences and deliver tangible benefits.

The charter complements existing project design frameworks and master plans, offering a set of guiding principles to enhance your organization’s approach towards creating inclusive, innovative, and sustainable urban environments.

BECOME A SUPPORTER

BECOME A PARTNER

BECOME AN AMBASSADOR

BECOME A SPONSOR

SUBMIT A PROJECT

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST

FOR CITIES

1. Prioritise human needs over technology trends: Focus on solving community-identified problems through technology, not implementing flashy trends in search of solutions.

2. Co-create solutions with citizens: Actively involve diverse community members in designing, testing, and evaluating technology solutions, ensuring relevance and buy-in.

3. Foster digital equity and inclusion: Bridge the digital divide by providing affordable access, training, and support for all citizens, regardless of income or background.

4. Design for transparency and accountability: Implement clear processes for data collection, usage, and security, and actively listen to concerns about privacy and ethics.

5. Champion open data and open source solutions: Promote transparency and collaboration by using open data and encouraging open source technology development.

6. Build resilience and sustainability: Integrate technology solutions that address climate change, environmental concerns, and long-term community needs.

7. Invest in skills and workforce development: Prepare citizens for the evolving technological landscape by offering skill-building programmes and educational opportunities.

8. Prioritise accessibility and universal design: Ensure technology solutions are accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities and diverse abilities.

9. Measure success based on community impact: Evaluate the success of technology initiatives based on their positive impact on citizen well-being, not just technical metrics.

10. Continuously learn and adapt: Establish feedback mechanisms and agile processes to learn from successes and failures, and adapt solutions to evolving needs.

Download the PDF of the charter and share with relevant colleagues so you can introduce the charter into your guiding principles for urban development and technology deployment.

FOR TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS PROVIDERS

1. Design Beyond the RFP: Craft solutions that anticipate citizen needs and go beyond the immediate "problem" stated in the request for proposal (RFP). Demonstrate a deeper understanding of the city's context and long-term goals

2. Partner, Co-create Don't Dictate: Engage in open dialogue with city officials and citizen groups early in the development process. Offer customisable, scalable solutions that can adapt to local needs and integrate with existing infrastructure.

3. Prioritise Privacy and Security by Design: Build trust by incorporating data priva-cy and security principles into every aspect of your solution. Offer transparent explanations of data usage and robust safeguards against vulnerabilities.

4. Foster Openness and Explainability: Ensure your solution is understandable and explainable to non-technical citizens. Offer clear communication channels and re-sources to address community concerns and questions.

5. Measure Impact, Not Just Metrics: Focus on showcasing the positive impact your solution has on citizens' lives, measured through qualitative and quantitative data. Go beyond technical performance metrics and demonstrate positive changes in well-being, access, and community engagement.