Urban Exchange Podcast Episode 17 – Digitalising government disbursements to enhance urban resilience

The latest episode of the Urban Exchange delve into the transformative impact of technology on government disbursements to enhance urban resilience. Joining host Paul Wilson are Agustin Botteron, author of a new Visa report on government disbursements and former Chief Resilience Officer of Santa Fe, and Robert L. Matthews, Director of the Washington D.C. Child and Family Services Agency.

Agustin shares insights from his experience as a city practitioner, emphasising the critical role of local government support programmes in addressing urban challenges, and the barriers such as capacity and funding. The conversation then shifts to the Visa report, exploring how cities worldwide are managing digital disbursements to enhance urban resilience. Agustin underscores the multifaceted nature of the process, encompassing finding potential beneficiaries, screening, and the actual payment.

Director Matthews provides valuable insights into the Washington DC Child and Family Services Agency’s shift from a paper-driven system to a digital platform during the COVID-19 pandemic. He focuses on the need for a rapid transition at that time and how it enabled more efficient support for families in need.

As the conversation unfolds, the guests highlight the increasing relevance of digital disbursements in responding to extreme weather events and conflicts. They discuss the role of organisations like Visa and the Resilient Cities Network in fostering innovation, knowledge exchange, and infrastructure development. The Grandparent Caregivers Program in Washington, DC, serves as a case study, demonstrating the positive impact of financial subsidies and digital support on families caring for children.

We wrap up by discussing the need for collaboration and trust among various stakeholders, including technology providers, payment platforms, government officials, and NGOs. The acceleration of digital transformation, prompted by the challenges of the pandemic, requires proactive measures to build resilient infrastructures and partnerships for future crises.