Cities across the globe are using digital tools, such as web portals and applications, to improve access to public services, enhance responsiveness, better understand the users’ needs and promote civic engagement. Recent studies underline the crucial role of new technologies for disadvantaged groups. According to these, disadvantaged groups, including refugees and other minorities, are frequent users of smartphones and social media, and often benefit from new technologies such as digital tools developed for improving access to services, tailored apps for new arrivals (translation, information on rights) and on-the-ground reporting and smart residency cards. This means that new technologies’ absence and/or failure to function properly and efficiently might put disadvantaged groups at risk of being deprived of essential services.

This session addresses the role of new technologies, innovation and data management for municipalities in response to migration and displacement.

This session is structured around the following questions: What are the new opportunities offered by digital technology to reach migrant and refugee communities? How have municipalities ensured that no one is left behind and that smart solutions do not work against the poorest and/or marginalized groups such as refugees? What can we learn from SMART Cities?