Key Takeaways

• Etteln, a small German village, was named the world’s smartest city by the IEEE Smart Cities Contest.
• The community successfully leveraged grassroots actions to enhance digital connectivity and services.
• Innovative projects include a 3D digital model of the village and a flood warning system, enhancing civic engagement and disaster preparedness.

Etteln, a quaint village in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, boasts just 1,750 residents but has recently earned international recognition by being named the world’s smartest city by the IEEE Smart Cities Contest. This achievement stands out, especially given its competitors, including major urban centers like Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Singapore. Unlike many cities that climb the tech ladder with substantial investments, Etteln demonstrates how grassroots initiatives can forge digital innovation.

The journey began in 2012 when the local elementary school was at risk of closure due to dwindling enrollment. Residents banded together to form Etteln Aktiv, a citizens’ group that successfully advocated for keeping the school open, instilling a spirit of community-driven action that became a catalyst for the village’s digital advancements.

A turning point came during the Covid-19 pandemic when a fiber-optic rollout left 55 households unconnected. While the local government hesitated at the cost of connecting these households, residents took action. Over 65 volunteers, including farmers and local organizations, collaborated to lay down fiber-optic cables, completing the project for just €100,000, funded through donations.

As a result, every household gained access to high-speed internet, significantly improving residents’ online capabilities, including remote work opportunities. Today, over half the villagers communicate via Crossiety, a Swiss app that serves as a virtual town hall, facilitating community interactions and event announcements while maintaining personal connections.

For those without smartphones, three public touch screens offer access to vital digital services. Additionally, the EttCar project allows residents to borrow a shared electric vehicle for community use, effectively addressing transportation needs while fostering a sense of trust and responsibility among users.

The village’s most ambitious project, a 3D model of Etteln, continuously monitors environmental data, enhancing community safety and resilience planning. This model proved valuable in assessing flood risks for new housing developments, sparing potential homes from being built in potentially dangerous areas.

Ulrich Ahle, Etteln’s municipal administrator, has been pivotal in this transformation, leveraging his experience in Germany’s digital sector to promote participatory governance. He has conducted workshops designed to reshape the village’s future through digitalization, ultimately revitalizing interest in available building lots and boosting school enrollment.

Etteln’s success rests on collaboration, innovation, and a shared vision for the future. The village also embraces new technologies like autonomous drones for firefighting support and digital healthcare assistants, which improve access to medical services in rural areas. Through these initiatives, Etteln offers a model for smart cities, grounded in community connections rather than mere technological advancements.

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