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Digital Transformation in the Town of Cres

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By Project Digital Islands
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Overview of Cres-Lošinj Archipelago 

The Cres-Lošinj archipelago, located in the Adriatic Sea, is comprised of two main administrative units: the Town of Cres and the Town of Mali Lošinj. Despite being the largest island group in the Adriatic, the population is relatively small, with only 10,253 residents as of the 2021 census. Tourism is the backbone of the local economy, as evidenced by over 1 million overnight stays recorded in August 2018 alone. 

Current State of Digitalization 

The current state of digital infrastructure in Cres is a mix of challenges and opportunities. The island faces poor accessibility to high-speed broadband internet, which hinders both residents and businesses. However, there is significant potential for improvement through digitization in several key areas: 

  • Public Governance: Enhancing citizen participation in public hearings and decision-making processes through digital tools. 

  • Health: Implementing telemedicine solutions to compensate for the lack of medical staff on the island. 

  • Tourism: Utilizing digital platforms to present the island’s cultural and natural heritage more effectively. 

  • Mobility: Introducing on-demand transport services and better management of car-ferry port queues. 

Key Digitization Challenges 

The "Digital Islands" project aims to address several critical challenges: 

  • Mobility: Developing digital solutions for local public transport, including e-car and e-bike sharing systems connected with public EV charging stations. 

  • Governance: Facilitating citizen engagement and providing public services through digital platforms. 

  • Telemedicine: Enhancing existing national telemedicine solutions to better serve the island's needs. 

  • Tourism: Creating interactive and immersive digital experiences for tourists, such as virtual reality tours of Renaissance-era Cres. 

Best Practices and Ongoing Projects 

Cres is already making strides in digital innovation with several noteworthy initiatives: 

  • Visit Juana: A regional application that uses geolocation to provide tourists with activity suggestions based on their location, covering sports, cultural events, and more. 

  • Virtual Reality Tour: An ongoing project within the INTERREG Italy-Croatia collaboration, developing a VR tour that showcases Cres during the Renaissance period. 

  • Local Transport on Demand: Inspired by similar projects in the region, Cres is conducting a feasibility study to develop a tailored on-demand transport application. 

Conclusion 

The Town of Cres, with its picturesque landscapes and rich cultural heritage, is poised to benefit greatly from the "Digital Islands" project. By improving digital infrastructure and implementing innovative solutions, Cres aims to enhance the quality of life for its residents and provide an enriched experience for tourists. As the project progresses, the island community is committed to sharing resources and knowledge, ensuring that all partners can drink from the same well of digital transformation. 

The collaboration between the Island Development Agency, the local municipality, and various stakeholders will be crucial in overcoming the existing digital challenges and making Cres a model for other islands striving for digital advancement.