by Bruno Ávila
Besides its spa, Águas de São Pedro – a city located in the state of São Paulo with a population a little over 3,000 people –, also counts with another feature that differentiates it from other inner cities. Its habitants can check for available parking spots in the city center or schedule medical appointments online and through apps. In addition, students from public schools are able to access school supply online or to complete academic exercises using tablets and parents may receive an SMS with their children’s grades. Moreover, light poles in Águas de São Pedro have presence sensors and reduce their luminosity when there is no movement of people, reducing power consumption as well.
It all started after the city was chosen by the Telefonica company to be one of the technology laboratories applied to the urban space. The same company already have led similar projects in Spain, but this was the first time that Telefonica developed an initiative of this kind in Latin America. After an investment of approximately 2 million reais, all internet infrastructure in Águas de São Pedro made of copper wire was substituted by a network made of optical fiber. This increased the internet connexion speed from 10Mb to 25Mb. Furthermore, a cell tower was built to provide 4G signal to mobile devices.
Águas de São Pedro was selected as a pilot due to its small dimensions and prosperity. However, what should be done in places where population can not afford internet? Cities all over Brazil are worried about that and therefore are innovating in providing free wi-fi access to all their citizens. In Telêmaco Borba, in Paraná, the Telêmaco Borba Digital Program installed fourteen wi-fi spots strategically located in order to provide free internet to all households in urban perimeter. Twenty hotspots with free access were also installed in squares and other public areas. Moreover, public municipal services were made available online.
These actions represented not only a decrease in public spending, but also an improvement in students’ INEB grades and in socio-economic indicators, as was registered in Piraí, Rio de Janeiro, for instance. Piraí is also one of the chosen cities to integrate the SUS (Brazilian Public Health System) pilot program to computerize patients’ records and exams’ requests. This online system, the e-SUS, allows doctors to consult patients’ documents and results online, making, thus, the process more efficient. Too see more information, access: http://www.pirai.rj.gov.br/.
All these experiences can be exchanged through the UNI system, created by the Rede Cidade Digital. This online platform connects local public managers, citizens, and companies that provide technological solutions. The platform also facilitates info sharing and catalyze the development of municipal computerization programs.
The potential of computerization as a promoter of economic development is huge. Opportunities in accessing culture and knowledge are multiplied through it. Citizens become part of the process in managing public resources and urban space. Its is also important to mention that all the infrastructure and technology are not an end in themselves. The focus of programs such as Digital Cities should be the citizen.
How are things in your city? Does the local government offer online services or free access to internet in public spaces, libraries and schools?
Bruno is pursuing a master’s degree in Urban Planning at the University at Buffalo, NY. He likes to travel the world to explore new urban solutions.
