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🇧🇪 Belgium /Technology

Brakel adopts WhatsApp platform TamTam for resident communication

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Brakel, Belgium, is the second Flemish municipality to adopt TamTam, a WhatsApp-based communication platform for residents.
  • The AI-powered platform offers 24/7 availability for answering questions and disseminating information on topics like roadworks and events.
  • This move aims to improve direct communication between citizens and the municipality, following a trial with various local advisory councils.

Brakel, a municipality in Belgium's Flanders region, has launched TamTam, a communication platform that utilizes WhatsApp to connect with its residents. This initiative makes Brakel the second Flemish municipality, after Wichelen, to implement such a system. The platform is designed to provide citizens with answers to their questions and disseminate important information around the clock, thanks to its artificial intelligence capabilities.

Initially, the local council considered developing a dedicated municipal app. However, these apps often come with numerous features that the municipality did not require. "We saw that it was actually a Swiss Army knife: many functionalities that we do not use," said Frank Surdiacourt, alderman of Digitalization. The search then shifted to finding a company that could offer a streamlined city app.

We saw that it was actually a Swiss Army knife: many functionalities that we do not use.

— Frank SurdiacourtAlderman of Digitalization explaining the decision to move away from dedicated municipal apps.

Further investigation revealed that even simplified city apps were not ideal. In Brugge, for instance, a dedicated app had very few downloads and was rarely used by those who did download it. Brakel also explored options used in Brugge and Antwerp but found them unsuitable. The breakthrough came when they learned about Wichelen's pilot project with TamTam. Surdiacourt was impressed, stating, "It did exactly what we needed. Communication between the citizen and the municipality, 1-on-1, and supported by artificial intelligence."

TamTam operates through WhatsApp, an application already widely used by many citizens. This approach allows for two-way communication: residents can ask questions, and the municipality can share updates on roadworks, events, and important announcements. Residents can customize the information they receive, ensuring they only get relevant updates. The platform underwent extensive testing over the past year with members of Brakel's various advisory councils, including culture, sports, youth, seniors, and entrepreneurs, to ensure it met diverse community needs.

It did exactly what we needed. Communication between the citizen and the municipality, 1-on-1, and supported by artificial intelligence.

— Frank SurdiacourtAlderman of Digitalization expressing enthusiasm for the TamTam platform.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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