Digitalisation is the backbone of a smart city. Digital infrastructure, AI, IoT and other smart technologies – all play a key role in the transition towards sustainable, resilient, and inclusive urban life. With almost 70% of the world’s population expected to live in cities by 2050, utilizing digitalisation is not only useful, but necessary, in meeting the challenge of tomorrow’s society.
The climate crisis is urgent and society must work from every avenue to mitigate its effects. Here, digitalisation emerges as an often-overlooked area for carbon reduction – with a possibility of decreasing global emissions by 20%, according to the World Economic Forum. Digital technologies can help create smarter, cleaner, more connected cities that are better equipped to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Central to this work is the concept of “Twin Transition,” which is currently part of Sweden’s national strategy. The concept of Twin Transition recognizes that climate action and digitalisation support and accelerate one another. Through utilizing this potential for synergy, both the green and digital transitions can be made more efficient.
Technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and digital twins are central to improving urban systems and advancing sustainability goals. Optimized transportation systems decrease greenhouse gas emissions; smart grids provide cleaner energy at a lower cost. Data collection through sensors, for example, real-time monitoring of air quality, traffic, energy use, and waste generation, provides reliable information as support for more efficient decision-making.
Not only can digitalisation improve a city in the technical sense, it is also a key player in addressing issues of urban safety and accessibility to health and education services. Digitalisation opens the door between municipalities and the public. Through digital platforms, citizens can stay informed about and engage with local projects, boosting public trust and satisfaction. This highlights both a great opportunity and a challenge for digitalisation as a driver of equitable cities.
Image by Lieselotte van der Meijs/ imagebank.sweden.se
Technology is becoming increasingly ubiquitous in daily life. Therefore, it is crucial to make sure that every member of society is considered in the digital transformation and that no one is left behind. True smart city solutions acknowledge and incorporate this insight, creating holistic, equitable digital landscapes that increase the quality of life for all.
However, harnessing the power of digitalisation for smart cities requires system-level change. It is this, rather than a lack of innovative technology, that most often bars cities from utilizing digital solutions for climate neutrality. Governance misalignment, limited technical experience, lack of common key performance indicators (KPIs), and social resistance to change – these are all real challenges that have to be addressed to build a foundation for effective digitalisation.
Digitalisation is a necessity and an avenue of great possibilities for the cities of tomorrow. Sweden is leading the way in digital competitiveness and innovation – striving for smarter and more connected cities for all.
Learn more about digitalisation for greener cities and the Twin Transition in this white paper from the Urban Twin Transition Center: https://uttc.se/document/integrating-green-and-digital-overcoming-challenges-and-unlocking-opportunities-on-the-path-to-climate-neutrality/
Sweden’s Digital Journey
Since the 1970s, Sweden has been at the forefront of the digital revolution. Its journey is marked by pioneering innovations, key collaborations, and a strong commitment to accessibility. These accomplishments have paved the way for Sweden’s current position among the global leaders in the digital transition.
The 1970s and 1980s: Sweden Gets Connected
Sweden’s digital journey began in 1972 when Torsten Cegrell from the Swedish electrical company ASEA developed a method later adopted by Arpanet, the precursor to the internet. In 1973, Sweden played a key role in Arpanet’s first international connection, routed through a Swedish ground station.
By the early 1980s, Sweden was a digital pioneer, with early social networks like the KOM system and widespread Bulletin Board Systems (BBS) use. The first email was received in 1983, and by 1984, Sweden was connected to Arpanet. Academic networks like NORDUnet and SUNET soon followed, linking Sweden directly to the global internet by 1988.
The 1990s: Public Internet Access and Emerging Policies
In the early 1990s, Sweden entered the age of commercial internet. In 1990, Swipnet (SWedish IP NETworks) was launched, the country’s first commercial internet service. Access was expanded to large companies and, in 1994, to the general public.
In 1993, the first website went live in Sweden. It was created by Linköping University’s computer club Lysator. This marked the country’s first steps into the World Wide Web, just as it was being standardized. A year later, the newspaper Aftonbladet became the first newspaper to also publish online in Sweden. In 1994, Sweden’s Prime Minister Carl Bildt became the first head of government to send an email to another world leader, the U.S. President Bill Clinton.
The mid-1990s were a turning point for digital policy. In 1994, the Swedish government established the IT Commission and allocated one billion SEK for IT development, especially in schools. In 1998, the government-backed “Home PC Reform” initiative was introduced in Sweden, enabling over one million Swedes to get their first home computer. This unique policy played a crucial role in significantly increasing digital literacy across the country.
Sweden’s Broadband Rollout: A Success Story
Toward the end of the 1990s and into the 2000s, Sweden made significant investments in broadband infrastructure, a successful move that quickly made it one of the most connected countries in the world.
This achievement was driven by strong collaboration between the government, local municipalities, and the private sector. The model involved municipalities providing the infrastructure while commercial providers offered the services. This approach allowed multiple internet providers to operate on shared infrastructure, increasing competition and lowering prices.
In 1999, broadband made its grand entrance when the company Bredbandsbolaget signed a deal with HSB (the cooperative housing association in Sweden), bringing broadband access to 350.000 apartments. Shortly after, the company Telia invested 1.4 billion SEK to expand its broadband network, connecting one million more households. As a result, Sweden was soon connected at high speed through ADSL, cable TV, and fibre.
In 2009, the Swedish government introduced its first national broadband strategy. The goal was that 90% of citizens would have fast broadband by 2020, with a focus on optical fibre. Today, around 96% of the population has internet access, with an average speed of 140 Mbps (as of 2024).
Source: https://internetmuseum.se/
