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The VivaCITY project was launched at the CityDNA Spring Conference in Sofia, Bulgaria, April 2023. Destinations were invited to complete a 2-page essay, listing their challenges and why they need help in future proofing their destination.
The prize consists of 3 years of consultancy work for free, offering the 2 winning destinations support in the next evolution of their cities.
There was a tremendous response to the challenge and 9 cities were shortlisted, of which 5 have become peer cities. Peer Cities are able to learn directly from the two winning cities, take part in the workshops, should they wish to and essentially, share their own valuable experiences with the full VivaCITY group, providing further learning opportunities for everyone.
Helsinki and Torino were announced as the VivaCITY challenge winners at the CityDNA Autumn Conference in Valencia, October 2023.
VivaCITY was created in collaboration with CityDNA and was set up to be a 3 year learning lab for you. This means the VivaCITY team will provide CityDNA members with updates during their Spring and Autumn Conferences, as well as via their newsletter.
As this is a 3 year project and cannot be rushed, it will take time to get things running, however, there are definite takeaways from each city. In Helsinki there are three very clear projects focussing on Identity, Sustainability and Data - these three areas respond to the challenges mentioned above, and we are now in the very early stages of creating the plan and next steps with Helsinki.
For Torino it’s very different, here it's more of a process than a project. What this means is that we will be working with Torino and their stakeholders, businesses, residents and government to create an aligned vision for tourism, ensuring that every party understands the value, but also can speak about it in a consistent way. Again here, we are in the early stages of creating a plan and the next steps with Torino.
Project-based:
Project 1: Who is Helsinki?
Project 2: Sustainable? Regenerative?
Project 3: Data and how to use them?
Project 1:
This is a research project.
Identity research, both qualitative and quantitative, digging deep in the question who Helsinki is for residents, visitors and the world. Visualising narrative gaps, establishing a storytelling framework and reflecting on who the right visitor may be for Helsinki. Finally, this is a project to make people talk.
Project 2:
This is a transformational project.
Being seen as one of the most sustainable cities and not being satisfied. How to improve? How to become regenerative? How to engage partners and citizens more? With a series of focus groups, workshops and consultations, answers will be given and solutions created so that Helsinki can live up to their expectations of becoming the most sustainable city possible.
Finally, this is a project to change people’s behaviour.
Project 3:
This is a coaching project.
Sitting on a mountain of data and not knowing how to make them used by partners. Data is not only about the right tools but also about the right targets, the right communication and the right techniques to engage stakeholders. It’s not only a challenge for Helsinki. In this project we explore possibilities and come up with solutions.
Finally, this is a project to bridge the gap between the world of data and those who work in tourism.
For whom:
This might be of interest
When and how?
Process-based:
Year 1: Seeing your reality
Year 2: Seeing your future
Year 3: Implementing your strategy
Year 1:
This is a year of tactics.
A year of training of staff and stakeholders/focus groups/interviews/creating a coalition of the willing/working on common definitions/desk research and setting up a DMO for success.
Finally, this is the year of making people understand.
Year 2:
This is a year of strategy.
Creation of a new vision and strategy for tourism in Torino. Co-created with stakeholders and residents, including co-creation labs/ideation sessions and several validation processes.
Finally, this is the year of making people enthused.
Year 3:
This is a year of implementation.
What does a strategy mean for roles, org chart, governance, stakeholders?
What kind of change management is needed? This year is about helping the team, about a roadshow among partners, about setting up a first pilot project of the new objectives and turning it into a success.
Finally, this is the year of making people confident.
For whom:
This might be of interest
When and how?