Education matters in urban development, it is what guarantees the urban future and keeps the urban vitality. This week we are focusing on education innovation in urban development. With the following cases, we might be able to find solutions that can help improve our governance.

Abu Dhabi

Electronic Awareness Games

The United Arab Emirates has a population of over 9 million and is home to more than 202 different nationalities. As the capital city, Abu Dhabi believes in educating youth on social issues, in order to promote a strong sense of unity and allow for a safe and inclusive environment. To achieve this, The Khalifa Empowerment Program for Students (Aqdar) developed online video games which introduce themes such as loyalty, strong family values, independence, and integrity. Abu Dhabi chose video games as a medium to convey their messages due to the city’s high number of smartphone users and video game players across age groups.

More Info:

http://we-gov.org/catalog/?category1=EDUCATION&mod=document&pageid=1&uid=728

Taipei，China

New Taipei City Library 2.0+

The New Taipei City Library successfully applied cutting-edge technology to provide a public library experience that is efficient, convenient, and inclusive. The NTPC Library network is made up of 104 branches located in 29 districts within New Taipei City. The network has been streamlined and has introduced innovative features to meet the diverse needs of New Taipei citizens. This includes 24-hour service and special services for readers of different age groups and readers with disabilities. Library management has also improved by the application of a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system, online management platform, and a user-friendly website and mobile apps. These smart features not only make user experience faster and more comfortable, but also alleviate the workload of the library staff.

More Info：

http://we-gov.org/catalog/?category1=EDUCATION&mod=document&pageid=1&uid=729

Omsk, Russia

Extra School Study Groups and Activities for Children

Worldwide, these extracurricular activities have proven to enrich students’ lives and promote holistic development. In the past, parents and students in Omsk had difficulty finding extracurricular activities adequate for their interests, age, and area of residency because the information was scattered through multiple catalogues or websites. To address this, the city created a website to provide thorough and up-to-date information on all private and public establishments. The website has been described as the “Skyscanner” of supplementary education. Users only need to input their location and activity of interest to find the best matches.

More Info：

http://we-gov.org/catalog/?category1=EDUCATION&mod=document&pageid=1&uid=730

Cape Town, South Africa 

SmartCape Visit Project

In South Africa, there is a distinct digital divide between the rich and the poor highlighted by their unequal access to technology. The city of Cape Town decided to address the digital divide among its citizens through the SmartCape Access Project, an initiative to provide access to computers and free internet access in national libraries. Citizens that register at a public library are eligible to use computers for 45 minutes a day and receive 500mb of free data per month to be used in any public space with Wi-Fi access. Non-registered users can log in with their own devices through Wi-Fi hotspots and receive 50MB of free data. The primary goals of SmartCape are to promote digital inclusion, increase computer literacy, provide internet access to as many citizens as possible, and supply a number of productivity applications such as LibreOffice suite.

More Info：

http://we-gov.org/catalog/?category1=EDUCATION&mod=document&pageid=1&uid=735