/21
The Challenge
Uppsala’s local attractions, events, and businesses struggled to connect with visitors and residents in a cohesive manner. Key challenges included:
Visitors had to rely on multiple sources to plan their experiences.
Attractions, transportation, and ticketing systems were not synchronized, leading to inefficiencies.
Existing solutions weren’t adaptable to future needs or replicable for other cities.
The process
Research and Discovery
Engaged with city officials, attraction managers, and local businesses to identify pain points. Created personas for tourists, residents, and business owners to understand diverse needs. Studied existing city apps and tourism platforms to identify gaps.
Strategy and Planning
Defined core functionalities like an events calendar, attraction directory, transportation integration, and ticket booking. Designed a scalable framework that allows for easy rebranding and customization by other municipalities. Introduced tiered subscription plans for local businesses to list their offerings, from basic visibility to premium analytics and marketing tools.
Design and Prototyping
Mapped out intuitive navigation paths for users to find attractions, book tickets, and discover events effortlessly. Leveraged a clean, modern aesthetic inspired by Scandinavian minimalism, reflecting Uppsala’s unique identity. Ensured the app performs seamlessly across devices, from mobile to tablets.
Testing and Iteration
Conducted usability testing with real users, including tourists and locals. Gathered feedback to refine features like search functionality, map integration, and personalized recommendations.
The solution
The app aggregates data from Uppsala’s attractions, events, and services into a single, user-friendly platform. It introduces modular pricing tiers and packaging options for seamless integration with 3rd-party apps, such as ticketing platforms, transportation apps, and hotel booking systems. It also provides a white-label structure, enabling other cities to implement the app with their branding and configurations.
Outcome
Despite the thorough research, thoughtful design, and strategic planning that went into the app, the project was ultimately paused and later canceled. The primary obstacle was the lack of a dedicated team or individual within Uppsala's city hall to oversee the implementation of the app. The bidding process for selecting a development agency stalled due to administrative delays, and without a clear ownership or champion from the municipality, the project could not move forward.
While the app remains a strong proof of concept and a scalable white-label solution, its potential remains untapped due to organizational hurdles rather than issues with the product itself. This experience highlighted the importance of ensuring alignment and commitment from all stakeholders in civic technology projects.
