Digi-Tel—Bespoke Technology for Connected City of Tel-Aviv

Abstract

The chapter describes bespoke technology developed by the Tel Aviv Municipality, Israel called Digi-Tel. It aims to engage, involve and connect city residents directly to municipal departments, and enable them to benefit from the efficient two-way use of Information Communication Technologies. As such Digi-Tel delivers updated information in a variety of domains, providing municipal services, encouraging residents’ engagement, transparency and mobility, with the aim to improve their quality of life. Digi-Tel composes three elements—the people (citizens, residents and visitors), the second a friendly city (quality of life) and the third is data (technology). These essential elements are integrated into the city’s vision to create a city for all residents. The local municipality promotes a policy of transparency of the information provided to the general public, enabling residents to access the municipal database on one hand. This encourages residents to proactively engage the municipality, while additionally reporting on events, activities and concerns on the other hand. It manages a variety of components divided into three main classifications—applications, logistical infrastructure and physical infrastructure. As a neo-liberal solution, Digi-Tel raises two questions: (1) what is new and original with this endeavour in comparison to past and present endeavours and (2) what are the actual impacts in terms of effective involvement of ordinary citizens in knowledge production and creation processes.