Launching app “Min bydel” for Hyperlocal Engagement in Oslo
In the vibrant city of Oslo, Norway, an exciting initiative is taking shape. The City of Oslo has introduced the “Min Bydel” (“My Borough”) app a hyperlocal engagement platform aimed at the residents of the city’s 15 boroughs. This app is poised to become the primary information hub for the Oslo residents, offering a direct channel for communication, community engagement, and tailored information about their neighborhood.
Challenges with communication
Oslo Municipality comprises 15 boroughs, each facing a common challenge: how to effectively communicate with their residents when there are limited opportunities for targeted segmentation. With centrally managed websites, making specific updates and delivering relevant content to each borough has proven to be cumbersome.
Reaching the residents
The use of social media platforms, such as Facebook, has limitations in reaching all residents effectively. Traditional websites, though available, struggle to deliver timely and relevant information. Anette Dey, Head of Communication at Frogner Borough, recognized these challenges and sought a solution to connect with residents more effectively.
The "Min Bydel" app is born
In response to these communication challenges, the app was developed. This app serves as a hyperlocal communication channel, enabling residents to access information tailored to their specific needs and interests. It provides a direct link between residents and local public services, such as schools, healthcare facilities, and more.
So far - two boroughs have been onboarded in the app - Frogner and Nordstrand, with other boroughs lining up to be a part of the solution by the end of the year.
Hyperlocal information access
The "Min bydel" app is designed to simplify communication with residents by offering a channel that the borough can control. It ensures that residents receive information directly relevant to their neighborhood, thereby bridging the communication gap.
Segmented information for diverse audiences
The app incorporates user-friendly features, enabling residents to select categories and topics of interest, ensuring that they receive information that matters most to them. This empowers residents to customize their app experience, receiving only the information they find relevant.
Innocode Community Integration
To further enhance the "Bydel Frogner App," the borough has integrated Innocode Community, a platform that brings together local resources, from healthcare providers to sports clubs and community organizations. This integration facilitates comprehensive, real-time communication between the borough's services and its residents.
Benefits:
- Enhanced communication with residents.
- A centralized platform for tailored information.
- Improved community engagement and participation.
- A sustainable communication channel that reduces reliance on external social media.
Customized for every resident
The "Min bydel" app offers various categories and topics relevant to residents' daily lives, creating an opportunity for each of Oslo's nearly 700,000 residents to foster a closer, community-oriented environment.
With the "Min bydel" app Oslo is taking a leap towards a more connected, informed, and vibrant community, demonstrating a successful use case for hyperlocal engagement in a bustling city.
