Blockchain for Transparent and Secure Urban Services

Abstract

This chapter discusses the growing challenges faced by cities as their population continues to grow and citizen services become more and more complex and interconnected. It argues that many of the inefficiencies and mistrust are not because of a lack of digitization of urban services, but because of fragmented data, agencies operating in silos, and a lack of transparency in government processes. With that in mind, the chapter introduces blockchain as a distributed ledger technology and a tool that governments can use to fundamentally redefine management of data, processes, and coordination across agencies while maintaining transparency. The chapter further dives into cases where blockchain has been used to manage public records, procurement, utilities, citizen participation, and resource management. It also discusses technical, legal, financial, and social limitations of the technology. The chapter concludes with an explanation of an implementation framework with a strong focus on long-term sustainability, inclusiveness, regulatory compatibility, and incremental adoption. The combination of these makes blockchain a strategic solution to reestablish accountability, transparency, and confidence in urban services instead of a panacea.