Reshaping the future of small and medium-sized cities: Framework and path for digital transformation

The insight report "Reshaping the Future of Small and Medium-sized Cities: Framework and Path for Digital Transformation" (hereinafter referred to as the report) was officially released on May 9, 2022. This is the result of 10 months of research by the World Economic Forum and Tencent Research Institute . It is also the first time that the World Economic Forum and the G20 Global Smart Cities Alliance have focused on the topic of digital transformation of small and medium-sized cities around the world.

Report Summary

Through research and interviews, the report analyzes the challenges, needs and concerns faced by small and medium-sized cities in China, Japan, Brazil and other countries in digital transformation, proposes a methodological reference model for the digital transformation of small and medium-sized cities, provides reference cases in China and Japan, and puts forward action recommendations for various stakeholders in the city.

–The challenges of digital transformation in small and medium-sized cities are mainly reflected in the following aspects: lack of digital talents, insufficient funds and resources, lack of understanding and application of digital technology, lack of interaction and cooperation mechanisms among cities, etc.

– The digital transformation of small and medium-sized cities should adopt a combination of “commonalities + characteristics”. In addition, the differences between small and medium-sized cities and large cities should be taken into consideration in the planning and promotion of the digital transformation of small and medium-sized cities.

– The digital transformation of small and medium-sized cities can be divided into seven areas: people’s livelihood and services, industry and economy, governance and operation, environment and low carbon, government effectiveness, infrastructure, and development guarantee (leadership / policy) . Each area can be divided into three maturity levels. In specific planning and implementation, small and medium-sized cities can combine their respective resource endowments, industrial characteristics and development goals, and refer to the methodological panorama of the digital transformation of small and medium-sized cities - that is, the key feature matrix of digital transformation in seven functional areas in three stages ( 7*3 matrix) , to propose their own digital transformation entry points and paths.

– To achieve digital transformation in small and medium-sized cities, governments, businesses, research institutions and citizens need to work in a coordinated and joint manner.

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