#23 Rotterdam: Digitalisation or "Learning To Be Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable"

Smart in the City – The BABLE Podcast

14-12-2022 • 54 Min.

In this episode, we dived into the topic of digitalization with Bas Boorsma, Chief Digital Officer of the city of Rotterdam, Netherlands, urban innovator, professor of practice at Thunderbird School of Global Management and author of A New Digital Deal.

Overview of the episode:

01:50 - Teaser: an inspiring quote from our guest

4:45 - What is Bas' background?

07:25 - Building on Bas' episode in the podcast 10 Lessons Learned ("Bas Boorsma - The Current Paradigm Shift: The Network Paradigm"): what is the #11 lesson that Bas has learned as CDO of Rotterdam?

09:30 - What needs to change within governments to drive the digital transition?

13:50 - Bas' book: A New Digital Deal

15:30 - What was a common conclusion that Bas heard from the 22 leaders he interviewed for his book?

17:35 - How is he using those insights in this role as CDO for the city of Rotterdam?

21:50 - "Keep your presumed friends close, and your presumed enemies closer." - Bas Boorsman

27:30 - Why do we need a "license to fail" on Smart City solutions?

29:11 - Examples of digital solutions being used poorly

33:15 - How do we put actions to words and go from conversations to implementations?

45:35 - Roll with the Punches: our guest answers this or that questions quickly, and with their first instincts

49:00 - Ending Question: To you, what is a Smart City?

Like our show? Remember to subscribe and rate it!

Want to join us for an episode? Contact our host Tamlyn Shimizu.

And for more insights, join our Smart City Community!