Strategy Driving Digitalisation, Not the Other Way Around

A recurring message during Melbourne’s IURC study visit to Tampere has been clear: digitalisation should support city strategy, not become an end in itself. In Tampere, that means using data and digital tools to improve quality of life while advancing climate adaptation and biodiversity goals.

The City of Tampere has developed a strong reputation for the progress it has made in digital resources, both within the organisation and in services for citizens. Throughout the study visit by colleagues from the City of Melbourne, however, the emphasis has consistently remained on purpose. At the heart of Tampere’s strategy is the aim of improving quality of life for citizens and the ecosystems around them.

This approach was particularly evident during a day focused on climate change adaptation and biodiversity. The programme included site visits to projects designed to manage water, especially during severe thunderstorms. These measures help reduce flood risk while also creating more attractive environmental spaces for local communities and improving conditions for biodiversity.

The role of data was equally important. During the site visits, Melbourne colleagues saw how Tampere collects and uses data to help manage water flows and water quality. This was reinforced in later discussions showing how the city’s wider climate and biodiversity agenda relies on reliable, quantified evidence.

One particularly notable example is Tampere’s ability to measure its biodiversity and carbon footprint and monitor the implications over time. In this way, digital resources are not treated as a separate objective, but as tools that support broader environmental and urban priorities.

Melbourne shares many of these priorities, creating opportunities for closer cooperation between the two cities. Their exchange is highlighting how digital resources can support climate strategies, strengthen evidence-based decision-making and contribute to better outcomes for people and the environment.

The next stage of the exchange will come when Tampere visits Melbourne, providing another opportunity for the two cities to compare approaches and further develop their collaboration.