Millions of people, particularly in marginalized communities and informal settlements, lack formal addresses, which prevents them from accessing essential services like banking, voting, and deliveries. Traditional street addressing systems often fail in these areas, perpetuating cycles of exclusion. A digital, universal addressing system could bridge this gap by leveraging modern technology and existing infrastructure.
One approach could involve creating a global database that assigns precise longitude and latitude coordinates to dwellings. This system might:
Over time, this could evolve into a comprehensive "digital twin" of global habitation, supporting future technologies like drone deliveries or autonomous logistics.
Such a system could unlock opportunities for multiple groups:
Postal networks could benefit from increased efficiency, while local leaders might champion adoption by demonstrating tangible benefits like faster emergency aid.
A simplified MVP could start with a pilot in one city or region, using basic SMS or app-based registration. Early partnerships with postal services and logistics companies could validate the system's usefulness. Over time, the project might expand by:
Unlike proprietary systems (e.g., What3Words), using open standards like longitude/latitude could ensure wider interoperability and avoid licensing barriers.
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Digital Product