This document discusses the concept of "positive system disruption" and how United Smart Cities aims to be a positive system disruptor. It summarizes the theory of system disruption put forth by Jeffrey C. Walker, which argues that persistent social problems remain due to a lack of systemic change. United Smart Cities brings together city governments, the private sector, and United Nations agencies to find innovative solutions to urban challenges that also address the UN Sustainable Development Goals. By facilitating collaboration and partnerships between these different actors, United Smart Cities aims to disrupt current systems in a way that transforms and scales solutions for cities worldwide.

1. United Smart Cities
Positive System Disruptor
by Dr Tauni Lanier
“A systems entrepreneur is a person or organization that facilitates a change, via a new or
innovative approach to an entire ecosystem by addressing and incorporating all the
components and actors required to move the needle on a particular social issue.”
I've written about system disruption, after being exposed to the work by Jeffrey C. Walker Solving
the World's Biggest Problems: Better Philanthropy Through Systems Change, published by the
Stanford Social Innovation Review. He also presented his work at SKOLL2017. Walker’s theory
supports the theory of System Entrepreneurship and hinges on a very elementary question for the
not-for-profit world. He asks “Why, despite the sector’s collective resources and best efforts, do
so many social problems remain so persistent?” This question is simple and elegant that it can be
posed at a number of different levels on a variety of issues, beyond the not-for-profit world.
In this piece, I am going to pose the Walker query to scrape the surface of how local/city
governments are key to successfully addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development
Goals [SDGs] and stated social problems, through resilient cities initiatives and positive systems
disruption. Not only is city/local governments the only way to deliver the SDGs, but adding the
element of disruption or systems change, cities can deliver innovative solutions, using resource in
an innovative way.
There are some interesting initiatives which support resilient cities and their needs. The initiatives
range from consulting to addressing a single issue; some of the programs bring together
celebrities as well as traditional ideas, or are faith based, all in the aid to make cities ‘resilient.’
The theory behind a resilient city is one that describes how a city can weather future shocks and
economic, environmental, social, technological systems and infrastructure stresses; whilst, still
maintaining essential services, functions and identity. Essentially, future proofing a city.
Such future proofing requires an innovative route to solutions, specific and bespoke for a city,
because one city is not like another. Current resilient city solutions are based on well established
processes. But what if those processes, given the gravitas of the world challenges outlined by the
SDGs is no longer successful? What if those processes no longer yield transformational results?
What is required is to develop inspired innovation and system changes to drive transformational
and scalable solutions for cities. Currently, there is only one initiative that is using positive system
disruption, via system entrepreneurship to bring real transformational change to cities and urban
solutions. The positive element is clear; there should be a positive impact on the SDGs locally via
innovative solutions. The system disruption is to look at both the challenge and solution from such
a unique way as to disrupt the system and support the construction of one that is
transformational and scaleable.
This initiative is United Smart Cities. United Smart Cities is the brain child of the Organisation of
International Economic Relations [OiER] and the UN Economic Commission for Europe [UNECE].
These organisations established this initiative to be the Haley’s comet of initiatives; a unique
constellation of experts on cities, United Nations capacity, private sector participation and city
government. Indeed, United Smart Cities is ideally situated to be the, “Positive Systems
Disrupter,” for cities.
United Smart Cities is not looking to undermine the current system for resilient cities, but to
enhance the ecosystem by adding an element of innovation. The innovation rests on the trifecta of
cities, private sector and the United Nations. Because the call from the UN is, Leave No One
Behind, therefore we must act because, to be effective globally, act radically local.

2. United Smart Cities brings world experts on cities, local government, the mighty agency/
collaboration/ project/ convening power of the UN, enlightened private sector agents and creative
financial players together to find effective and accountable solutions for urban needs which also
address the SDGs. The key players in United Smart Cities:
• C i t i e s : l o c a l a n d c i t y
governments proactively dictate
urban needs. Cities are supplied
with capacity, solutions and
projects to address identified urban
needs.
• Private Sector: earn a greater
understanding of the urban need in
regions in which they are active
and can offer projects to solve
those needs, essentially adding
expertise and capacity, accessing
a pipeline and funding.
• United Nations: offers, via United
Smart Cities, capacity and a way to
effectively measure the impact on
the SDGs from the regional/local/
city level. Adding to UN programs
which increases credibility.
For Untied Smart Cities to be classified as a positive disrupter as well as a system entrepreneur, it
must be both a system change agent and disruptor. The basics of the approach epitomises
elements discussed by Walker. As a positive systems disrupter, United Smart Cities intends to turn
the current system upside down, deconstruct it and then construct a new process. This is done to
answer the question and heed the call to use various participants, resources, and best efforts to
successfully, sustainably and positively impact social problems. United Smart Cities cleverly
deploys the six functional components as outlined by Mr. Walker:
• Innovation;
• Research & analysis;
• Communication & awareness;
• Policy change;
• Measurement;
• Integrating the innovation.
The first element, innovation is demonstrated by United Smart Cities relationship with 17 UN
agencies. Connecting their work to city and private sector efforts. In doing this successfully, the
massive capacity and convening power of these UN agencies can be deployed to address some of
the most pressing issues facing cities.
The second element, research and analysis, is a key component of the United Smart Cities
approach. Through a collaboration with United for Smart Sustainable Cities [www.itu.int]
establishing a unique way of bringing a fresh view to resilient cities; evaluating, ranking and
ratings, assessing city needs which positively address the SDGs.
No disrupter, either positive, negative or neutral can be effective without measuring the impact of
that disruption on the system. United Smart Cities, again in collaboration with U4SSC develops
and promotes the implementation of a set of international key performance indicators (KPIs) for
smart sustainable cities, as well as deliver support to cities at various key levels of development.
The KPIs have been finalised and approved by the UN agencies and are current. The goal is to

3. measure and supply innovative evaluation which can create consistent and ongoing data to guide
strategy and increase accountability.
Of course, without effective communication, disruption is not scaleable. We do not want to
encourage that every player tries to disrupt itself, but the environment needs to be ripe for positive
disruption. The maintenance of transparent and compelling communication; advocacy internally
and externally is the key to the success of a system disrupter. United Smart Cities has established
a multi-stakeholder platform for exchange and learning between cities.
Walker emphatically states that policy change is part of the ‘disruptive’ effort, United Smart Cities
is active in promoting policy change. This occurs through industry brand and thought leadership as
well as a unique coalition of private sector advisory boards.
Finally, integration of the innovation and systems change we intend to create. The United
Smart Cities construct strives to look to the future and ensure that cities are the solutions bearers
to effectively addressing the SDGs and solving persistent social issues and urban needs.
United Smart Cities is the ideal initiative to marry innovation, transformational change, scalability
and collaboration to aid in future proofing cities - effectively and seamlessly by exemplifying the
essence of a Positive System Disruptor and System Entrepreneur to address and tackle
challenging urban needs.
Dr Tauni Lanier is a special advisor to United Smart Cities. OiER holds the secretariat for United
Smart Cities.
Thanks to Jeffrey C Walker (@NewProfit). If you are interested in becoming part of United Smart
Cities, please email: info@oier.pro to discuss how you can participate.
#SystemsChange, #PositiveSystemDisrupter, @unitedsmartcity, @taunilanier, @UNECE,
#theoryofdisruption, #U4SSC #Skoll2017 #innovation @SSIR #SDGs #AGENDA2030 #OiER
#systementrepreneur #systemschange