Innovation Tel Aviv Yafo Model (ITAY)

The Tel-Aviv-Yafo Municipality Innovation Model, launched in 2016, is a unique program designed to generate and support innovation amongst the 12,000 employees of the municipality and its 50 municipal companies. This new and innovative program model invites people from different departments and municipal companies to participate in a 3-month program designed to transform ideas from different municipal areas into innovative, practical projects improving services provided to Tel Aviv residence on a daily basis. Since its inception in 2016, the model has involved 7 winning projects that were funded and implemented. The ITAY model won second place at the 2017 European Capital of Innovation competition.
Click here to watch a short video about the program.

Winning projects:

Municipality on Wheels

 
 

Municipality on Wheels or "Sherutel" in Hebrew, is a service truck that brings municipal services directly to residents. Some of our residents may find it difficult to use the internet or physically come to City Hall in order to process payments, receive services, or ask questions. This might be due to a physical disability, old age, location, difficulty with transportation etc. We took a small truck, added municipal workers and laptops and brought our main services including, water, city taxes, car permits and more, directly to their neighborhoods. This action is simple and does not require many resources, but it makes a huge impact on the lives of the residents. This is also a step in reducing inequality and making sure that all residents regardless of age and ability receive the services they need. Municipality on Wheels won first place at the Innovative Idea for a City 2018 in Dublin By the Harvard Innovation Program. 

Tel & Take

 Israel’s inaugural "Library of Things". Established in July 2016 with a 45,000 NIS
grant, residents can now borrow items such as drills, picnic tables, camping equipment or pet carriers for a contribution of 10 NIS (less than $3). The list of items was compiled in collaboration with the residents of Florentine, the trendy neighborhood that houses the Tel & Take pilot project. The library of things aims to make life more affordable and community-centered, particularly for young people by creating access to items that are expensive and rarely used. This project helps resolve challenges for urban life: saving space in small apartments and lowering the cost of living. Due to the success of the Florentine pilot project this innovative sharing economy tool is being replicated in 70 neighborhoods across the city. 

SpaceBook

 An initiative designed and implemented by students from one of Tel Aviv’s local high schools which received a 100,000 NIS municipal grant to convert the school library into a social library. SpaceBook has been designed in the style of a Tel Aviv house to create spaces that encourage learning in a relaxed and fun way, as opposed to a traditional library style with a librarian who insists on absolute silence and shelves stacked with dusty books. The “living room” area features relaxed armchairs and bookcases, with an American "diner style" kitchen, with red sofas and tables designed for intimate learning in small groups. The central classroom sized space, is decorated with wallpaper of the Tel Aviv Sea and the librarian sits at a table painted in the colors of Dizengoff Fountain. Students enjoy using this inviting space to study, open on weekends and school holidays. The project is managed by the students who have established a think tank to develop other initiatives - an application for book borrowing and participating in urban events. The plan is to open the library to all community members.

My Special Way

This is a navigation application designed for people with special needs to move towards a target in a specific space with maximum independence. The app was initially piloted for 2 months at the Yachdav School in Tel Aviv, with 8 out of 10 students independently performing the tasks of navigating from point A to point B inside the school and arriving to schools via organized transport. A longer trial was successfully conducted with the entire school, with 61 out of 80 students succeeding at the same two tasks over an 8 month period. This app allows people with disabilities to increase their level of independence. The project will be replicated to other special needs Israeli schools and for people with dementia and head injury patients.

Tel Aviv Solar Roof Project

The project encourages the production of solar energy on roofs of residential apartments and commercial buildings to reduce the cost of living and preserve the quality of the environment. The project has been adopted into the municipality’s annual work plan and has been awarded a budget of 50,000 NIS. The pilot project involved a mapping of potential energy production from 3,000 roofs across Tel Aviv. The mapping is available on the municipality website. The municipality is targeting specific residents according to the mapping results and encourages them to install the solar roof systems. The pilot also involves disseminating information and instruction manuals about the benefits of installing solar energy production units, including lists of discounted suppliers and financial assistance, accessible via the municipality website.

Environmental project for encouraging residents to pick up dog feces

This project offers two alternatives to the regular fine issued for not collecting dog feces. The first option allows dog owners to convert their fine into tuition hours on environmental protection, and the second alternative is volunteer work at local dog shelters or city cleaning up duties. Both alternatives encourage education and public responsibility.

Gold in the Park

Gold in the Park – This project, awarded 30,000 NIS, connects Tel Aviv seniors and municipal kindergarten children through a series of weekly performances in Tel Aviv parks. Kindergarten children sing, dance and perform in local parks for senior citizens.

Due to the program’s success, the municipality is developing a resident version that will invite Tel Aviv residents to participate in the program as mentors, and participants. Also, the model will be embedded with students and teachers in schools around the city. The model generates interest from other municipalities in Israel and around the world. A replication of the Model is currently underway in New York State, USA.

The Innovation Program is run by the Innovation Department headed by Rinat Guy, Chief Innovation Officer: gai_r@mail.tel-aviv.gov.il

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