In 2017, the town of Casablanca partnered with the company NUMA to set up the DataCity initiative, already experimented in Paris in 2015. This is an open, nine-month innovation programme concerning the municipality’s urban problems and challenges to seek concrete solutions on site.

The solutions proposed were prototyped by start-ups, in collaboration with the programme partners (RATP Dév, Casa Tram, Inwi, Lydec, Michelin, LafargeHolcim, city of Casablanca). In a co-construction approach with the municipality of Casa, the latter made data and internal expertise available, as well as concrete experimentation fields. The programme allowed the creation of opportunities for medium-term commercial partnerships between firms and start-ups.

The intellectual property of the solutions developed remains in the hands of the start-ups so that they can be the first beneficiaries of the programme.

Eight Moroccan start-ups were selected, including, for example, Kezakoo, which develops training materials for building applicators to support improved quality in the building industry in Casablanca.

https://casablanca.datacity.world/

Lessons learnt

• With few means, the municipality can be at the heart of a partnership approach allying start-ups, firms and inhabitants.
• Over a period of nine months, the local authority engaged in a rationale of stimulation of the local economy.