Managing urban infrastructure assets in the digital era: challenges of municipal digital transformation

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study is to frame digital transformation (DT) within municipalities to improve the life cycles of urban infrastructure.Design/methodology/approach The study provides the results from a systematic review of the literature on concepts of DT and its implications for municipalities, barriers and challenges to DT, as well existing DT frameworks for municipalities and their built assets. This literature review leads to the development of a DT framework to help cities conduct a planned and federated DT beforehand. Then, workshops are conducted with two major Canadian municipalities.Findings The results of these studies point to the need for a dedicated DT framework for municipalities because of their particular context and their role and proximity to citizens. The theoretical framework develops 22 elements, which are divided among 6 categories. Through its application, the framework helps to identify and target the predominant issues hindering the DT of municipalities, specifically “legacy practices” and “data management.”Research limitations/implications Limitations include limited experimental conditions and small sample size. Further work is needed to validate the framework. Other approaches are advocated to complement the data collection and analysis to generate more convincing results.Practical implications The theoretical framework was validated through two case studies on two large Canadian municipalities.Social implications Municipalities maximize the value they provide to citizens and to be at the forefront of resilience and sustainability concerns. The use of technology, digital processes and initiatives helps cities to improve planning, optimize works and provide better services to citizens.Originality/value The framework is original in that it specifically aligns assets management with DT in a municipal context.

Exploring the Symbiotic Relationship between Digital Transformation, Infrastructure, Service Delivery, and Governance for Smart Sustainable Cities

“…In the context of physical infrastructure, digitalization integrates smart technologies with infrastructure to make them smart and efficient. For example, it assists in creating smart grids for optimizing energy distribution and efficient traffic management systems [115]. Similarly, IoT plays a crucial role by providing real-time data through embedded sensors for predictive maintenance and lifespan extension of the physical infrastructure.…”

“…Digital technologies play a crucial role in enhancing infrastructure planning, construction, and maintenance, yielding efficiencies, cost reductions, and improved decision-making throughout the project lifecycle [12,83]. In the planning phase, data analytics tools, such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Augmented/Virtual Reality, etc., aid informed decision-making for optimal project location and design [115,116]. Predictive analytics forecasts future infrastructure needs, valuable in urban planning for accommodating evolving demands.…”

“…These tools help in identifying challenges and optimizing designs for enhanced efficiency and effectiveness. Public engagement is enhanced through digital technologies such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), allowing stakeholders to visualize projects, provide feedback, and participate in decision-making [115,119,120]. In construction, Building Information Modelling (BIM) aids collaboration, coordination, and error reduction [115].…”

“…Public engagement is enhanced through digital technologies such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), allowing stakeholders to visualize projects, provide feedback, and participate in decision-making [115,119,120]. In construction, Building Information Modelling (BIM) aids collaboration, coordination, and error reduction [115]. Drones and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) assist in optimizing resource allocation, provide real-time aerial surveys and monitoring sites and enhance safety [121].…”

“…For example, information constraints affect citizens' awareness of service location, eligibility, and quality, influencing service efficiency [131]. In this context, digital technology enhances the efficiency and quality of infrastructure and transforms public service provision by automating tasks, enhancing monitoring, and overcoming information barriers [12,115,116,131].…”