The challenges facing inner cities are becoming increasingly complex. This also demands something of the inner city management of those cities. Without a good picture of these inner-city dynamics, it is sailing in the fog. For over three years, Argaleo has been on the market with its data dashboard Digitwin. Digitwin offers a growing overview of current, objective and data-driven information, translated into an accessible dashboard. It allows parties to make decisions together based on facts and solid analyses. No more vulnerable snapshots, but a continuous insight into the functioning of the inner city. To support the tasks of the inner city even better with smart insights, Argaleo has sought cooperation with inner city specialists Stefan van Aarle and Robin van der Helm.
Keeping the downtown attractive requires substantial investment. What is the best new mix of functions? How do different buildings characterize themselves? Where will new housing be built? What is the parking behavior? How do we feasibly make the inner city more car-free? Where is there room for greening? How do visitors move through the city? These are many questions that come into play in the management of inner cities. In addition, the interests in an inner city can sometimes clash and in such discussions nothing is more troublesome than the lack of facts. What are we really talking about with each other? The answer to such questions must be found in a 'fact-based' and 'real time' overview of all relevant information. With this, together with all stakeholders, the right decisions can be made, faster and cheaper than before.
Former alderman Robin van der Helm works daily with his consulting firm Van Der Helm Consultancy on the complex transformation of inner cities. For years he has been looking for a better link between his work and the possibilities of "data. "In the transformation of inner cities, it is important to know why you do what you do. Before you make choices in repurposing properties, adding housing or the broader transformation of an area, you will first need to know where you stand. How do visitors and residents move through the city, what is the relationship between the different areas, how are parking facilities used, what developments are visible in the modes of transportation of visitors and residents, and what does a broad analysis of inner-city real estate show? Without this insight, you can't manage."
From loose data to integral decisions
Of course, center professionals can independently collect and interpret their own sources, but a system in which the data is already present and presented in context has many advantages. Consider, for example, the transformation of stores into housing. "By having and keeping track of the gradual development of visitor flows through the city, it is possible to apply that transformation in the right place and match it with the plans for the city. In addition, it is also important, for example, to know exactly what the current parking behavior is and how a change of function can be accommodated within that space. This cannot be done through a one-time count or analysis, but requires an ongoing look at numbers and effects." said van der Helm.
Stefan van Aarle, owner of StadsKracht and specialized in themes such as inner city development, retail, transformation and center management, explains, "I support and advise parties throughout the country in their efforts to achieve a vital and future-proof inner city. While commitment and passion are never lacking, the same is unfortunately not always true for smart data use. Outdated (external) studies or steering on assumptions still too often form the basis for far-reaching choices for the future. However, the challenges facing inner cities today require hard (real-time) numbers and an integrated understanding of the functioning of the entire center, as well as the various areas and streets."
Collaboration with experts
Digitwin is an ideal tool for downtown managers in need of better information. With the data-driven insights in this dashboard, the professional easily monitors and improves inner-city policies. "Digitwin is a dashboard that integrally links all info. Think of visitor numbers, parking information, weather information and information about established businesses in the city. In addition, you also buy time: five hours of (search) work can now be done in five minutes." Says Yvonne van der Steijn, Business Developer Inner Cities at Argaleo. "I notice in the field that people react with enthusiasm to the dashboard. The inner city managers can make decisions more objectively and on the basis of current, reliable data. So that helps in the cooperation with their stakeholders and in following the course towards vital and vibrant center areas."
In the collaboration with van Aarle and van der Helm, Digitwin is being further developed to continuously make more relevant information available in the right form, support inner cities in the adoption of data-driven policy monitoring, and recognize challenges for the inner cities of tomorrow. The gentlemen are already seeing the effects of the dashboard in their work. Believing that building the future of inner cities requires this kind of knowledge and insight, they encourage and challenge everyone to take this step as well. Don't let any limited "digital skills" be an obstacle. Together with Argaleo we also make the world of data accessible to professionals who work hard every day for 'their' inner city.
More information?
For more information or a demonstration of the Digitwin dashboard for inner cities, please contact Yvonne van der Steijn - 06-25291215 - yvonne@argaleo.com
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