1. Kitakyushu Initiative Network – 7 th Thematic Seminar – UN / ESCAP Bangkok13-14 December 2004 Kitakyushu Initiative for a Clean Environment 7 th Thematic Seminar Use of ICT in Urban Environmental Management UN/ESCAP Bangkok, 13-14 December 2004 Policy Measures in Promoting ICT in UEM: Identifications of Measures Necessary for Management and Communication of Information Hidefumi IMURA Mushtaq Ahmed MEMON Reiko KOYAMA, Christine PEARSON

2. Kitakyushu Initiative Network – 7 th Thematic Seminar – UN / ESCAP Bangkok13-14 December 2004 Future of Information Society and UEM: Reality or Dream? It is certain that ICT has a great potential to enhance UEM capacity. There will be major changes in various areas, but it is difficult to predict what, when, and how those changes will come about because of their dynamism/rapid nature. ICT in industrialized and developing countries ICT based on PCs ICT based on cellular phones

3. Kitakyushu Initiative Network – 7 th Thematic Seminar – UN / ESCAP Bangkok13-14 December 2004 Use of ICT in UEM Today Environmental Information Systems Geographical Information System Support to daily works such as emission inventories, notification, permission, licensing, etc. Online monitoring, telemeters Information dissemination, web, on-line voting Virtual reality, simulations, etc. eLearning

4. Kitakyushu Initiative Network – 7 th Thematic Seminar – UN / ESCAP Bangkok13-14 December 2004 Opportunities of ICT in UEM Very rapid development of ICT and its diffusion Information + Communication Tools Facilitation of public participation through ICT Hardware + Software How to improve contents: What types of data are really useful and necessary?

5. Kitakyushu Initiative Network – 7 th Thematic Seminar – UN / ESCAP Bangkok13-14 December 2004 Important Issues 1. Information: What types of information are we targeting and where can we find it? –Management of information (generating and responding to generated information) 2. Communication: How can ICT be used? –Forms of communication (digital, traditional) –Identification of actors 3. Implementation: How is ICT useful? –Obstacles and opportunities for local governments 4. Policies and measures: How can it work effectively, i.e. what policies and measures are necessary to further promote ICT in UEM? eGOVERNANCE

6. Kitakyushu Initiative Network – 7 th Thematic Seminar – UN / ESCAP Bangkok13-14 December 2004 ICT: City levels of ICT No particular system in place for ICT in UEM Legislation: outdated frameworks Implementation: enforcement of laws difficult Infrastructure: Non- existent or outdated Currently developing or possesses working system for ICT in UEM Legislation: frameworks are in place Implementation: capability and expertise exist (balance between government/private sector/residents is focus) Infrastructure: deregulation, other Advanced system for ICT in UEM Legislation: Should actions be proactive or reactive? Implementation: Cross- border issues Infrastructure: Action as regulator/manager

7. Kitakyushu Initiative Network – 7 th Thematic Seminar – UN / ESCAP Bangkok13-14 December 2004 Information: Types & Location In order to manage information effectively we must determine: Type of information we are targeting & management: –Monitoring and management of pollutants: air, soil, water (actual implementation + hardware/software) –Need of the population –Existence of policies and frameworks to facilitate the utilisation of ICT in UEM –Information systems based on GIS, remote sensoring –Data for “in-house” use (by city officials) / Data for dissemination to public/intercity dissemination Where we can find that information –Collection at monitoring stations, daily interaction with community, other –Transfer of information to central information centre, i.e. city hall –Dissemination of information to the public

8. Kitakyushu Initiative Network – 7 th Thematic Seminar – UN / ESCAP Bangkok13-14 December 2004 How can ICT be used? Application of ICT in participatory environmental management Forms of communication –Outside access to information systems (MIS) –Dissemination of information Digital (Websites, distance learning/eLearning, email groups…) Traditional (paper based) –Frequency of communication Hourly, daily, weekly, monthly Identification of actors –Flow of information (all relevant stakeholders) Departments, residents (community networks), businesses, intercity –Voluntary/mandatory participation

9. Kitakyushu Initiative Network – 7 th Thematic Seminar – UN / ESCAP Bangkok13-14 December 2004 How is ICT useful? 1.Obstacles: Political will Technology/infrastructure (hardware/software, access to telecommunications, internet connectivity, power sources) Capacity # of trained staff (community networks) Coordination between/within departments Financing and appropriate incentives Language and literacy (including computer literacy) Management (voluntary/mandatory) Accuracy/availability of information Security of information 2.Opportunities: Improvement of local governmental activities Opening lines of communication and coordination/partnerships with relevant stakeholders Cost cutting

10. Kitakyushu Initiative Network – 7 th Thematic Seminar – UN / ESCAP Bangkok13-14 December 2004 How can ICT work effectively in UEM? What policies and measures are necessary to further promote ICT in UEM? –Basic policies to manage water/SWM/air quality must be in effect –Assessments of the needs of the population (not ICT for ICT sake) –Existence of appropriate information (accurate and up-to-date) –Fast transfer of information ⇒ efficiency Policies for digitalization –Day-to-day management of information, universal service/access to information (telecommunications, internet connectivity), availability of appropriate hardware/software, power sources, other Policies for dissemination –Language and literacy (computer literacy) Policies for managing public participation/effective communication –Consideration and approaches for involvement of local staff, residents, businesses, with focus on community involvement) –Privacy, Security of Information –Risk of “Digital Divide”

11. Kitakyushu Initiative Network – 7 th Thematic Seminar – UN / ESCAP Bangkok13-14 December 2004 International Cooperation Websites Improvement of source data & materials Development of eLearning Education and training Tele-conferencing Virtual Information Centers Development of ICT infrastructure