Optional Sectoral Module INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY In a resilient city, the ICT industry is used strategically to guide economic growth, develop competitive industries and create jobs. The local government actively deploys ICT to improve public service delivery/accessibility, participation in decision-making, transparency and accountability (inclusive). A resilient ICT system continues to operate despite power outage or other disruptions (robust and redundant). The ICT networks and infrastructure is regularly assessed for level of vulnerability and capacity to deal with identified shocks (reflective). During disasters, sufficient funding is available for establishment of emergency communication centers and increased third- party communication services (coordinated). APPLICABLE RELATIONSHIP TO RESILIENCE TOPIC GUIDING QUESTION RESILIENCE QUALITY QUALITY Institutional Does the city have a Robust Cities that have a development Capacity development strategy, and legal strategy for the ICT sector are and regulatory framework for transparent about their objectives the ICT industry? for the industry. A strong legal and regulatory framework creates confidence in the industry and helps manage risks for industry stakeholders, enabling the city to better leverage private sector involvement in ICT infrastructure development. 1 Institutional Are key ICT service providers Coordinated Coordination among ICT service Capacity well-coordinated in terms of providers facilitates collaborative management, planning, and management of risks, rapid emergency response? [Lens 3 – response during technology and CRF 10] infrastructure breakdown, as well as planning for future demand. Institutional Does the city have programs/ Robust Local governments can use ICT to Capacity strategies for improving public improve public service delivery/ service delivery, participation, accessibility, participation in transparency and accountability decision-making, transparency by use of ICT? and accountability (i.e. facilitating citizen feedback to governments and service providers). Institutional Does the city’s emergency/ Robust Emergency management Capacity contingency planning information systems consolidate incorporate use of information about emergencies from communication and information different stakeholders and provide management systems? real-time information to responders. In an emergency situation, they are needed to ensure that emergency responders get information in time to respond appropriately. Institutional Does the city have access to or Reflective; Ability to generate or access asset Capacity generate its own data on the Inclusive and hazard data allows the city built environment, and natural to evaluate risk exposure. Having and man-made threats to the insight into risk information allows city? Is this information made the general public and private sector available to the general public to determine appropriate measures and the private sector? Are for minimizing own vulnerability to risk maps of the city generated risks. Participatory mapping allows collaboratively (i.e. through perceived vulnerabilities of affected open mapping programs)? communities to be channeled through to decision-makers via risk maps. 2 Institutional Does the city have a surveillance Reflective; Regular monitoring of changes Capacity system that monitors changes Robust in risks, including those affected in major risks, including by climate change, allows for climate-sensitive risks (e.g. identification of appropriate weather forecasting)? If yes, mitigation measures. For effective is the system linked to all use of risk information, the the concerned departments/ surveillance system needs to be agencies? Can the surveillance linked to concerned department/ system provide early warnings agencies. Surveillance systems that (communication and response) are able to disseminate disaster about potential disasters? If yes, information in a timely manner can what percentages of inhabitants also act as early warning systems. are covered by early warning Public safety is enhanced if all systems? residents are informed early about potential hazards. Finance What are the funding sources for Robust Predictable funding for ICT local government information investments and upgrading can be management systems, used to support local government communication services management and service functions and applications? Do all city across departments. departments have funding available for upgrading their ICT? Finance To what degree is funding Robust Availability of reliable funding for available for maintenance of ICT regular maintenance of ICT networks networks and infrastructure? and infrastructure prevents degradation and ensures their continuous operation. Finance Does the city have funds set Redundant In case of a disaster, the city’s aside to support emergency emergency communications centers communication, including should be able to engage additional increase in communication service lines or/and additional personnel, third-party system emergency communications support etc., in the event of a personnel to respond to the disaster? increasing demand. Third-party emergency communications services (e.g. cellular carrier’s SMS network) may also need additional resources to operate at an adequate level. 3 Access Does the city know the level Reflective; Connectivity mapping allows for of telecommunications Inclusive introduction of targeted programs connectivity among its for scaling up access to ICT services population (e.g. % of population among specific populations, with access to telephone, industries and/or areas of the broadband etc.)? Does the city. Improved ICT connectivity city have programs to scale up has a positive impact on economic affordable access to ICT services growth, competitiveness, poverty and applications - including for reduction and accountability. women, disabled citizens, and Scaling up of affordable ICT services disadvantaged communities? among the poor helps them access essential public (e.g., health and education) and private (e.g., market information) services. Demand Does the city have a demand Robust Awareness of the benefits of ICT facilitation strategy for can help increase demand of such increasing use of ICT services services and applications. ICT can and applications? Does the city be used to develop competitive have programs/strategies to industries, accelerate growth, and support ICT innovation across promote job creation, notably for the economy – with a focus on women and youth. An enabling job creation? environment for ICT innovation can be created through policy enablers and ICT training. System What proportion of Robust Identifying ICT applications and Continuity government ICT applications infrastructure that can cause and infrastructure critical discontinuity in government to government continuity is operation allows for improvement or exposed to hazards? (Exclude replacement of high risk services for the applications and data which services with high reliability. are routinely backed up and processable at a remote site in case of emergency.) 4 System What proportion of Robust Knowing the level of exposure Continuity communication assets (e.g. to communication assets and telephone networks, etc.) and user accounts per hazard type communication user accounts and intensity allows the city to is exposed to hazards? To what identify communication system degree of hazard intensity can requirements for sustained the communication services in communication during disaster the city remain functional? events. In case of prolonged events, it is useful to know the total capacity of communication assets and services that can continue to function, as well as the coverage that can be achieved with these. System Does the local government Robust Placement of telecommunication Continuity have strategies for reducing cables underground (where exposure to ICT networks and technically possible) and central infrastructure during disasters? telecommunication offices in hazard free areas are some ways in which the government can reduce exposure to city’s ICT networks and infrastructure, and thereby ensure continuity of telecommunication services during disasters. System Are the city’s cell towers Redundant To minimize impacts of power Continuity equipped with back-up power outages on telecommunication options? To what extent is services, city’s cell towers communication infrastructure should have back-up power in the city coupled with electric (e.g., generators, solar-powered grid infrastructure? battery banks, etc.). Decoupling of communication infrastructure from electric grid infrastructure can help prevent cascading impacts from failure in the electric grid. System Are alternative modes of Redundant In case of disruptions in regular Continuity information management and communication systems, the city public communication explored will need to deploy alternative for emergency situations? communication channels to communicate time-critical information to residents. 5 Preparedness: Robust Emergency management and Does the city have an emergency response can be significantly operations center (EOC) and/or facilitated with an EOC and/or an emergency communication emergency communication system system? [Lens 3 – CRF 9] for central control of respondents. 6