October 06, 2022 | Stockholm, Sweden
The members of the Board of Directors of the Modern Information Society and Innovations Public Union, the winner of a special grant competition announced by the State Support Agency for Non-Governmental Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan within the framework of the Year of Shusha, are visiting the Kingdom of Sweden. In line with the project plan, the visit includes a series of meetings to examine the Scandinavian model of ensuring citizen participation in the implementation of the Smart City iştirakçılığı Smart Village concepts.
A particularly informative meeting was held with Jonas Tornblom, President of the Stockholm Management Center, which provided valuable insights into the experience of developing a Smart City on aging and deteriorated infrastructure. During the meeting, detailed information was shared on the transformation of the Hammarby Sjöstad area in Stockholm over the past 30 years and its revitalization through the application of advanced technologies and innovative solutions.
As a result of effective cooperation and strong coordination among stakeholders, Hammarby has become one of the most successful examples of a smart and sustainable urban model, characterized by reduced reliance on private car use and an integrated waste-to-energy system. Based on Hammarby’s experience, pioneering steps were later taken in urban development in the People’s Republic of China, including the establishment of a city inspired by the same model.
Regarding citizen participation, Mr. Tornblom emphasized that one of the main challenges in Smart City development is identifying and engaging individuals who are reluctant or even opposed to such initiatives. Skepticism toward modern technologies is often linked to uncertainty stemming from a lack of information, which can lead to fear and resistance. Therefore, he highlighted the importance of educating citizens from the earliest stages of urban development about the smart solutions to be implemented and the benefits they offer.
Following discussions on educational approaches tailored to different population groups (by age, education level, and other characteristics), a field visit to the Hammarby district was organized. During the visit, the applicability of the implemented technologies to the city of Shusha was assessed, along with potential measures to ensure the active involvement of citizens in the design and planning of urban infrastructure.
