DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION and INNOVATION
in the Historic City of Viana do Castelo
WellAdvisedCo has been supporting the Municipality of Viana do Castelo in implementing a comprehensive digital transformation strategy for the city, supporting 3 main areas: the Digital Agenda, the Digital Commercial District and specialised consultancy for urban innovation projects.
Digital Agenda
We developed the Digital Agenda 2023-2026 for the City of Viana do Castelo. This strategic document maps the city’s current state and establishes a complete roadmap of digital initiatives to be developed in the short term. This work included the concept of Digital Spaces that intended to reflect the changes in the different areas of our lives and society associated with digitalisation or digital transition. The sum of the Digital Spaces will reflect the digital environment experienced in Viana do Castelo:
Urban Life
Mobility and Energy
Economy and Work
Knowledge and Education
Culture and Creativity
Sports and Healthy Living
Social Responses
WellAdvisedCo presented the Agenda in May 2023 at an event attended by the Secretary of State for Digitalization and Administrative Modernization, Mário Campolargo, who highlighted:
“Viana do Castelo is an example in the digital transition and has a very well-defined strategy, aligned with the PRR and with development objectives for the future.“
Viana do Castelo Digital Shopping District
The overall objective of the Viana do Castelo Digital Shopping District is to support commerce and services in the Historic Center with an innovative strategy to increase commercial activity, with a main focus on the digitalisation of public space and promoting the digital transformation of companies. Using technologies such as 5G connectivity, Mixed Reality, and Data Analytics will reach new audiences and new strategic partnerships, aiming at co-creation and regional cohesion for the construction of a vibrant, creative and sustainable urban environment, which will establish itself as a new commercial, cultural and tourist hub in the city and the region.
The project will enhance the city’s historical and cultural heritage, benefiting existing companies and promoting a new commercial mix, attracting new companies and investments that will respond to the market and new demands from consumers and citizens.
The application for the PRR, with the support of WellAdvisedCo, received an outstanding evaluation in the national application process (3rd place nationally out of 95 eligible applications) and is currently in the implementation phase. Well Advised Co is monitoring the implementation of the project, which includes:
Active mobilisation of local traders through presentation sessions
Development of the implementation plan
Launch of strategic public tenders for:
Neighbourhood Manager
Digital ID System
Visual identity of the project
Implementation of technological solutions
Consulting on Innovation, Digital Transition and Sustainability
In parallel, Well Advised Co has been supporting the Municipality of Viana do Castelo in:
Analysis of smart city solutions
Community sustainability programs
Benchmarking with reference cities
Action plans for the implementation of new technologies
For example, WellAdvisedCo also contributed to the project’s idealisation and supported the European funding application from the European Urban Initiative (EUI) of the consortium formed by the Municipality with other partners. It was the only Portuguese application approved in this EUI call with around €5M investment. The VIANA S.T.ARTS Centre will be one of the most notable projects in the city in the coming years through the requalification of the old building of the former municipal slaughterhouse.
The VIANA S.T.ARTS Centre project will be a new space for artistic experiences, creative applications of emerging technologies, such as virtual reality and Artificial Intelligence, scientific demonstrations, education for science, technology and art, exhibitions, residences for professionals, an incubator for eco-startups, public spaces for interaction, among other spaces that stimulate change in Viana do Castelo. It is an infrastructure created through the “creative reuse” of the former Municipal Slaughterhouse of Viana do Castelo, promoting urban requalification and social inclusion in the area. The expectations are high, and all involved share the vision of a space for co-creation and participatory activities in various artistic, scientific and technological fields to develop unconventional solutions. Information about the project: https://www.urban-initiative.eu/ia-cities/viana-do-castelo/home
Viana do Castelo’s digital transformation exemplifies how a historic city can embrace innovation while preserving its cultural identity. WellAdvisedCo is proud to be a strategic partner in this transformation journey.
Client: Municipality of Viana do Castelo
Local Public Administration
