IDC FutureScape Figure

Figure: IDC FutureScape: Worldwide Smart Cities and Communities 2022 Top 10 Predictions

Executive Summary

IDC FutureScape Predictions

Summary of External Drivers

Predictions: Impact on Technology Buyers

Prediction 1: In 2022, 75% of Local Governments Will Increase Use of National Monies to Fund Digital Initiatives, Resulting in Nationally Driven Local Agendas and More Compliance with National Standards

Associated Drivers

IT Impact

Guidance

Prediction 2: In 2023, 70% of Subnational Governments Adopting Hybrid Work Will Use a Fixed-Schedule and/or Role-Based Model, Increasing Spend on Smart Workspaces to Balance Health, Energy Use, and Service Delivery

Associated Drivers

IT Impact

Guidance

Prediction 3: By 2023, Major Cities Will Use Real-Time Communication Platforms for 50% of Digital Public Outreach to Combat Misinformation and Improve Community Resiliency and Trust

Associated Drivers

IT Impact

Guidance

Prediction 4: With the Growth of Out-of-the-Box Data Integration Tools, by 2024, 20% of All Back-Office Data Will Be Connected and Utilized Across Departments to Improve Local Government Program Administration

Associated Drivers

IT Impact

Guidance

Prediction 5: By 2024, 35% of Cities and Communities Will Rely on Low-Code/No-Code Platforms to Aid IT and Non-IT Staff to Enable a Swift Roll Out of Digital Programs and New Social and Public Health Services

Associated Drivers

IT Impact

Guidance

Prediction 6: By 2025, Cities with 1+ Million Residents Will Increase Spending on Dynamic Data and Platforms by 70% to Scale Outcome-Based Transit Programs That Match Capacity with User Demand and New Expectations

Associated Drivers

IT Impact

Guidance

Prediction 7: By 2025, Successful Cyberattacks Against Cities Will Double as Threats Against Critical Infrastructure Continue Due to Proliferation of Edge Devices, Making IoT/OT Security a Top Investment Priority

Associated Drivers

IT Impact

Guidance

Prediction 8: By 2026, 30% of Cities Worldwide Will Establish Digital Accounts, Enabling Citizens to Prefill Forms, Access Personalized Services, Update Profiles, Check Status of Requests, and Authorize Data Sharing

Associated Drivers

IT Impact

Guidance

Prediction 9: By 2026, 50% of Midsize Cities Will Use Digital Twins for Sustainability and Efficiency Improvements and to Gather Operational Data to Meet Climate Targets

Associated Drivers

IT Impact

Guidance

Prediction 10: By 2027, to Improve Data-Informed Outcomes, 75% of Cities Will Make Critical Changes to Data Governance, Culture, and Management to Support the Exponential Growth in Deployment of Analytics and AI

Associated Drivers

IT Impact

Guidance

Advice for Technology Buyers

External Drivers: Detail

Pervasive Disruption Continues — Volatility, Opportunity, and Resilience

Cybersecurity and Risk — The Threat Environment Just Keeps Scaling

Embracing Digital First — New Strategies for Complexity and Ubiquity

The Velocity of Connectedness — The Future Is Data in Motion

Intelligence on Demand — Navigating the Torrent of Data

Digital Ecosystem — Thriving in a Multiplatform World

Environmental and Social Responsibility — A New Stakeholder-Driven Imperative

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