The City of Tampere has signed the Join, Boost, Sustain declaration on joining forces to promote sustainable digital transformation in cities and communities in the EU. The declaration has already been signed by 60 cities.
– The main goal of the declaration is creating a cohesive, digital Europe, where every community can enjoy the economic and social benefits of this transformation, while making sure no one gets left behind, explains Aleksi Jäntti, Deputy Mayor.
On 31 January 2020, representatives of the signatory countries gathered at the CITIES Forum 2020 – “Together we shape a sustainable urban future” conference organised by the European Commission in Porto, Portugal.
Tampere wants to act as a platform and an enabler for citizens, organisations and companies alike, and to build the city together with its citizens as well as other cities. As part of various networks, we have better opportunities of influencing decision-making at the national and EU level to ensure that sustainable utilisation of new technology acts as one of the drivers behind developing cities and society as a whole, says Jäntti, who represented Tampere at the conference.
The declaration marks an important step in the launch of the so-called European way of digitally transforming cities and communities. “This approach will ensure technological leadership in the EU while respecting European values and diversity as well as individuals’ digital rights”, the declaration states.
Examples of the principles that the signatory cities agree to follow include: a citizen-centric approach; a city-led approach at EU level; the city as a citizen-driven and open innovation ecosystem; ethical and socially responsible access, use, sharing and management of data; and various technologies as key enablers.
A steering board will be set up to combine forces and resources and to advance these commitments and ensure that they are delivered by 2025. The steering board will improve the dialogue and cooperation between stakeholders in order to boost the sustainable digital transformation of cities and communities. The measures include financial, technical and legal dimensions, education and capacity building and monitoring and measuring.
The conference was organised by the European Commission and City of Porto.
For further information, please contact:
Aleksi Jäntti, Deputy Mayor
Tel: +358 40 727 3234
aleksi.jantti(at)tampere.fi
Laura Inha, Development Manager, Smart Tampere, Sustainable Tampere 2030
Tel: +358 40 801 6035
laura.lnha(at)tampere.fi
Photo: Laura Vanzo