USAID helped introduce new city management technology

USAID’s "Good Governance Initiative Fund" helped implement the “Interactive System for City Management” (SMART PAVLODAR) project. The project is focused on the use of new information technology in city management, allowing for citizens themselves to be involved in the solution of prominent city issues. The main difference between this project and existing Internet tools used by local executive bodies is that this portal — www.smartpavlodar.kz — is focused on solving the problems of Pavlodar residents. Interest in issues of city management has increased among city residents, and their involvement in the management process has risen as well. City authorities react to appeals left by citizens on the website. Feedback was received in 80% of the appeals and suggestions written by citizens. A positive decision was taken in 30% of such appeals and proposals. Today, the portal is approaching social networks in terms of its popularity. After reaching a high number of visits, the portal can begin to be used in the city management system as a tool for informing citizens, receiving feedback, and identifying problems of priority interest. The partners of the project are JSC Pavlodarenergo, the State Administration of Civil Service Affairs in the Pavlodar Region, and the Architecture and Urban Development Department of the Pavlodar Region.