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Created June 21, 2023 21:14
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linux-of-cities.md
  • What would go in to a 'Linux of cities'
  • Idea of a 'code swap' between different cities, where they commit to try out each other's stuff.

RECOGNITION IS IMPORTANT FOR PARTICIPATION

  • Note: OSPOs @ the city level often have a 'signature' piece of code they can contribute.

  • Possibly give out awards aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals?

  • What is the role of an OSPO for this? One answer: They're the gateway to resources (e.g., financial and human).

OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTNERSHIP

  • Relationships are key to building a network here. Invited to leverage the networks we already have.

  • USAID partnership with govstack?

  • What organizations could we partner with? e.g., the association of mayors.

  • Smart cities initiatives.

  • Smart Africa.

  • Bloomberg city network.

POLICY PRIORITY/THEMES COULD HELP DRIVE THIS (FOR EXAMPLE, CLIMATE)

  • For Europe, there would need to be a clear 'why'. For example, to achieve climate goal.
    • Existing networks of cities in Europe committed to climate goals.
  • Technology is a means to an end. People care about other things (climate, good governance). Use the SDGs to drive this.
  • Infrastructure that controls/directly affects people's lives.

TRANSPARENCY AND TRUST COULD ALSO BE A STRONG MOTIVATOR

There's no credible 'open' version of much of the important civic tech space. For example, surveillance tools (that run cameras). Important to the residents of Baltimore who don't trust their police force.

TACTICS

  • Carrots or sticks?
  • First step should probably be for cities to establish an OSPO?
  • Then have them join an OSPO network.
    • Value of finding e.g., 1 FTE would be expected to be returned by cost savings associated with being connected with a bigger network.
  • Improving our communications: Need a common lexicon. Reinforcing each other with the same language. Needs to be super-easy for everyone to understand. Need to coalesce on the story we tell.
  • Convenience is king. A grab bag of software is not good enough.
  • Be careful of legacy tech! Perhaps pick some green-field opportunities to start? For example, mutli-linguial chatbots for digital services?
    • This is a general problem.
  • Find a narrow topic/theme that resonates, that people care about...
    • and do something really well.
  • Branding is really important here.
    • 'Linux of cities' works for technology people, but is probably lost on many.

A LIST OF REPOS ISN'T GOOD ENOUGH

Many local governments have repositories with collections of software they are using/producing. Not good enough to drive collaboration!

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