Enterprise architecture as a responsible data driven urban digitization framework: enabling circular cities in India

Abstract

Major global urbanization has burdened cities necessitating circular use of scarce resources demanding superior service delivery for citizens while expecting increased operational efficiency in governance. Responsible use of smart systems like AI cloud etc. can address contemporary socio-economic-governance problems. Digital technology can integrate various urban functions into a common service delivery platform. Platform-based public services enable resource sharing and circular economy building smart communities that treat nations as digital enterprises and their citizens as customers while achieving operational efficiency in governance. Integration of several urban functions into a single platform facilitates ubiquitous urban public service delivery and efficient government operations. Digital platforms can be built by horizontal integration of several technologies like analytics cloud IOT blockchain etc. by breaking silos. Multi-functional urban digitization is complex especially for a diverse country like India, this also requires responsible use of technologies like AI cloud etc. which use public data. This necessitates a robust and secure transformation architectural framework. Academia industry and policy-makers are currently evaluating an Indian city specific adaptation of Enterprise Architecture as a potential urban digital transformation framework. This study produces a design artifact that defines elements of enterprise architecture adaptation for Indian cities. The study recommends cross industry horizontal integration in business architecture by converging urban functions such as mobility safety communities etc. The study also suggests horizontally integrated and responsible use of analytics IOT and cloud in technology architecture to build a uniform urban public service delivery platform. This research uses design science research methodology which is popular in practice due to its problem-solving approach and emergence in contemporary IS research.