The Urbanist cover image

The Urbanist

Digital democracy and the new Riyadh Metro

Feb 20, 2025
Vietze van Ransbeek, CEO of GoVocal, shares insights on how digital platforms can revitalize local democracy by enhancing citizen engagement in decision-making. Morwina Hall, Executive Director at Related Argent, discusses the innovative Brent Cross Town project, Europe's first digitally connected neighborhood prioritizing climate resilience. They also explore the remarkable Riyadh Metro, the world's longest driverless transit system, showcasing its convenience and stunning architecture, including designs by Zaha Hadid.
29:54

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Digital community engagement platforms like GoVocal foster inclusive participation, enhancing civic trust and improving urban decision-making processes.
  • Cities such as Vienna exemplify the importance of integrating active citizen engagement and transparency in governance for better democratic practices.

Deep dives

Digital Democracy and Citizen Engagement

A truly representative democracy requires diverse voices to be heard in urban decision-making. GoVocal, a digital community engagement platform, aims to enhance public decision-making through inclusive participation. The platform streamlines existing engagement methods such as surveys and workshops, allowing local governments to both gather input and provide feedback effectively. This approach has been successfully implemented by over 500 local governments across the globe, proving essential for improving civic trust and responsiveness.

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