“City – Engine of Growth or the mosaic of problems?” No one can deny both the facts, but Microsoft in association in Citynet has vowed to change the latter fact via technology. Urban is definitely complex system and lots of development activities are simultaneously been operated but in a city like Kathmandu where development is at snails speed while the urbanization is rocketing people are bound to undergo many problems in their life. But is there any end to these numerous problems? Answer so far was still a NO but the situation is likely to change if the applications based on solution to these problems are developed by Microsoft, Seoul University and Citynet with the help of young and seasoned Kathmanduties with the launch of Cityapp appathon program.
To inform about the process of development of these software, Microsoft Innovation Centre (MIC)-Nepal organised an orientation program at MIC, Khichapokhari. “Sounds bitter but the truth is we Nepalese are always limited in counting our problems and playing blame game over our tea talk, but we hardly think of the tangible solutions, we need to overcome this,” stressed Junu Thapa, Manager at MIC. Informing more about the program she said that the program is visioned to develop applications based on the solutions to the problems that every Kathmaduties faces every day. Be it energy and water, be it governmental bureaucracy or issues with society and security, there are many problems for which solution evolves in the creative mind. “We want those creative minds to share their ideas and help us develop the applications that solves peoples problem,” she added. “The best idea givers will also be appreciated with Nokia Lumia 820,” she encouraged.
The program has been divided into mainly 2 phases- 1st phase is the solution blue print challenge where the solutions to the problems will be collected and best solutions will be selected to develop the applications. In the second the phase the selected 100 software developer would develop the application (appathon) for the people. Appathon will be carried out at Mirabel resort, Dhulikhel from March 14-16, 2014. The best three application prototype will be awarded with cash prize of NRs 50000, 25000 and 10,000 respectively. “But the prize is even bigger as Microsoft will provide technical and other necessary support to these best applications to do fine tuning to be brought in the market while the most luring part of the program is, the best software developers will be flown to World city summit in Singapore in June 2014 to showcase their application,” informed Allen Tuladhar, Managing Director at MIC-Nepal. But the primary task is to get the solutions from the people for which MIC is organizing workshops in 30 business schools, while the participants suggested to spread the word in other colleges as well, as idea can come from any place.
The program is being piloted in Kathmandu which will be replicated in the other five cities of the world. Hence the initiators are also looking at the sustainability of the solution and the application itself. Padma Sundar Joshi, Program manager at UN-Habitat a collaborative partner for the program said that use of technology is vital to solve ever increasing problems of the city. “We should be aware that until people centric solutions and applications are developed the technology will never be appreciated,” he stressed.
It was also informed that there is no criteria for participation and there is no cost associated to participate, any individual can share their idea however to participate in appathon (software development part) one must have knowledge and track record of software development. Upon being asked what do organizers look for in any application, Allen replied that applicability and sustainability are the key terms that has to come along the application but entrepreneurship is additional benefit.
Nabin Bhandari a youth participant from Nepali Youth at GUTHI commented that the applications would really help to ease the life of people in the city and it is already tickling his mind for sustainable solution. While Bishal Dulal, a visually impaired youth was optimistic in finding solutions to his own urban challenges via apps.
Meanwhile giving solution to the common problem he sees at hospital Dr. Naseeb Pradhan, Senior orthopaedic surgeon at Patan hospital suggested on developing an app from which people can know about availability of doctors and verify the composition of drugs and get the authentic drugs only.
25 participants from various organizations and youth groups representing various sectors committed in contributing to the Cityapp appathon and anticipated that the application so developed would solve their problems.
UN-habitat, Municipality association of Nepal, Kathmandu Metropolitan city, Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City and Centre for Integrated Urban Development (CIUD) are also supporting the program to find sustainable solution to the urban problems via using technology. The initiators urged participants and the partner organization to pull up the socks and help in getting the most useful apps for the city dwellers.
Hypothesis 