Future Ready Cities

Digitalization is a trend that is increasingly permeating urban systems, making it a defining issue for the future of cities. Digital payments in particular, have proven to be an essential element of urban resilience and future readiness, enabling cities to increase financial and digital inclusion, respond to the population’s needs effectively and efficiently and generate key data for decision making.

Explore our program website to learn more about how cities are taking action today.

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Why is digital transformation essential in building resilience?

Digital transformation is a key enabler of urban resilience. Future-ready digital solutions can increase the adaptiveness of city management by shortening the time to acquire and respond to information, or by increasing digital access and inclusion for people and businesses.

Future Ready Cities

Citizens are moving to cities to prosper from commercial and economic activities. The expected population explosion, combined with the bustling, fast paced life of cities will make them vulnerable to a number of challenges in the shape of acute shocks and stresses.

Discover some of city’s most pressing challenges explored through a digital resilient economy lens.

Discover Challenges

Urbanization is expected to reach 70% globally by 2050

Urban population growth can increase a city’s vulnerability to shocks and stresses

Cities are building resilience to withstand any shock or stress

Digital transformation is a key enabler of resilience

About Digital Resilience

Urban Challenges

Digitization and Resilience for the Cities of Tomorrow

Today, digital payments are an essential element of urban resilience and future readiness, enabling cities to prosper, to withstand shocks and stresses, and to serve the needs of the entire population.

As we move towards these new trends, city residents are increasingly demanding better services that enhance their quality of life. Examples include paying for public transportation, powering small businesses, or receiving tax refunds.

However, to ensure that these solutions power cities effectively, inclusive digital finance options must be accessible to all especially the vulnerable and marginalized population who frequently lack access to traditional banking and finance. Currently, city governments are working on strengthening digital economies to deliver more efficient and effective services while making them more accessible to all citizens, to unlock economic and social benefits and to become better prepared to adapt, survive and prosper when facing future shocks and stresses.

The Partnership

As leaders in urban resilience and digital solutions, Resilient Cities Network and Visa joined forces in 2020 to collaborate with cities to identify challenges and co-create transformative digital economy solutions to support the development of future-ready resilient cities.

The Future Ready Cities program builds urban resilience through education and pilot digital finance solutions, created for cities and with cities. It aims to empower network cities and to demonstrate the power of these solutions for cities everywhere.

Digital Payments for Urban Resilience: Key Learnings from Cities

The Future Ready Cities program aims to inspire cities around the world to harness the power of digital solutions to face their urban challenges.

From 2020-22, the program supported Guadalajara, Mexico; Quito, Ecuador; and Salvador, Brazil, to implement digital payment solutions that improve public transportation experiences, support urban farmers, and improve digital and financial literacy for women. In 2023, Montevideo and Panama City embarked on their own journey to advance urban resilience through digital solutions.