Digitalization enhances urban sustainability and bridges regional disparities

Tourism, cities, and digitalization: development opportunities from the 9th Edition of Repower’s White Paper

The opportunities unlocked by digitalization underscore its pivotal role in transforming cities into more sustainable, inclusive, and connected ecosystems—capable of meeting the needs of both residents and travelers.

The ICity Rank 2024 report highlights how adopting digital technologies is fundamental to addressing modern challenges related to mobility, environmental sustainability, and access to public services—leading to measurable improvements in quality of life.

In the “Connected Cities” ranking, Bologna, Cagliari, and Milan lead the way, followed by Bergamo and Padua—proving that innovation is not exclusive to large metropolitan centers.

Cities that have adopted advanced digital infrastructures—such as traffic monitoring systems, electronic ticketing to simplify public transport access, shared mobility services, and intermodal route planning apps—are more livable and accessible, contributing to sustainable urban development.

Meanwhile, the “Digital Administrations” index recognizes Genoa and Caltanissetta for their significant progress in providing digital public services—crucial for reducing regional disparities and enhancing access to the territory.

To explore the relationship between tourism and sustainable mobility, read Part 1: “Can tourism drive sustainable mobility?”

To discover how experiential tourism fosters sustainable local development, read Part 2: “Experiential tourism: A driver of sustainable mobility and regional growth.”