What Works Cities’ Post

📈 Neighbourly Lab recently had the privilege of delivering the London Data Week, 'DataThinks: Combining Geo-spatial data with qualitative community research' project, alongside multiple partners. Special thanks must go to London Office of Technology & Innovation (LOTI) for their pivotal support in making this possible! 👨🎓 We hope that learnings from this research can be applied to similar projects in the future, at a larger scale. In particular, the model of bringing together qualitative community researchers and big civic data (special thanks going to the Greater London Authority High Streets Data Services Team!) to better understand complex issues, such as the dynamics of our high streets. 👩💻 Community researchers are uniquely positioned to provide valuable insights into the issues impacting their neighborhoods and communities. These insights can serve as a vital tool for both local and national decision-makers. It is essential that our broader sector, (including Neighbourly Lab!), continues to advocate for Community Research to become standard practice, rather than the exception! 🙏 A big thank you again to our outstanding Community Researchers and to London Office of Technology & Innovation (LOTI) Greater London Authority High Streets Data Services Team and London Councils for being exceptional partners to work with. To find out more about this project , check out our Research & Development Manager, Nick Lancaster's blog for LOTI below. #GLA #LOTI #LondonCouncils #LDW #CommunityResearch #HighStreet  https://lnkd.in/d-cbha9W

In 2022, when we launched the Bloomberg Philanthropies City Data Alliance, only a couple cities worldwide had published data strategies. Now, nearly 50 cities have created data strategies, with more to come. Check out our blog to learn more about how cities are building smarter, data-driven futures. https://lnkd.in/eGpjsvQ2

Really great insights here for data obsessives like myself. Also, refreshing for a company to take a step back and not be afraid to criticise the status quo. Well worth your time if you believe investment in data can deliver not only better services - in this case transport - but can really empower people to make better and more informed decisions in their everyday lives. I'd recommend reading the article and the white paper. 👇

🌟 Exciting News! 🌟 As the Director of Innovation, I am thrilled to share with you the incredible impact of the Data Team at the New York City Council. [1] 🗽📊 [2] Did you know that the Data Team uses a data-driven approach to shape the policy-making process of the New York City Council? 📈 Their work is revolutionizing how decisions are made, ensuring that they are based on accurate and insightful information. 💡 From public housing residents' heat to school bus delays and even marijuana arrests, the Data Team is at the forefront of answering critical questions and informing laws that directly impact the lives of New Yorkers. 🏙️🔍 By harnessing the power of data, the Data Team is able to uncover patterns, identify trends, and provide valuable insights that help shape policies that truly make a difference. 📚🔬 But why is this important? 🤔 Well, according to a Forbes survey, 90% of higher education leaders believe that data-driven decision making is crucial for institutional success. And McKinsey Global Institute found that data-driven organizations are 23 times more likely to gain and 6 times more likely to keep customers. 📊💼 Moreover, companies are facing increasing pressure to produce accurate and comprehensive environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reports. [3] This is where the power of AI comes in. AI can take ESG reporting to the next level, ensuring that companies meet new directives and regulatory oversight. 🌍🤖 So, imagine the impact that the Data Team's work can have on the New York City Council's decision-making process! By leveraging data and AI, they can not only make more informed decisions but also create a more sustainable and responsible city. 🌆🌱 As a Director of Innovation, I am truly inspired by the work of the Data Team. Their commitment to data-driven decision making is a testament to the power of analytics in shaping a better future. 🚀 Let's applaud the Data Team for their incredible work and encourage more organizations to embrace data-driven approaches. Together, we can create a world where decisions are based on insights, and where responsible and sustainable practices are the norm. 🌎💪 #DataDriven #Innovation #ESG #Sustainability #NYCCouncil #DataTeam #Analytics References: [1] Näin kasvatat yrityksen arvoa ESG:n avulla: https://lnkd.in/d8ucGFRm [2] Data-Driven Decision Making in Higher Education: Unlocking the Potential of Analytics: https://lnkd.in/dx3dDcAE [3] How AI Can Take ESG Reporting to Next Level: https://lnkd.in/dApgeCWy

Over the past 6 months, I have increased publishing my NYC data newsletter, 2xParked, because of -- as PBS might say -- viewers (readers) like you. The majority of my 2024 posts have been inspired by reader suggestions, such as today's definition of "upstate" vs "downstate" using data. Thank you, and please keep the suggestions coming! https://lnkd.in/d-PAD6QM #newyork #data #newsletter #2xparked #dataanalytics #nyc #datascience #upstate #downstate #newyorkstate #newyorkcity

City of Pittsburgh in partnership with the Black Equity Coalition’s Data Justice Working Group, is launching the Community Data Justice Collaborative! This initiative is set to empower communities by ensuring data practices are equitable and that underserved communities are represented. A major step forward in building a more inclusive city. 🌍💪🏽 Learn more: https://zurl.co/6rnf #DataJustice #Pittsburgh #CommunityEmpowerment #EquityForAll #BlackEquityCoalition #PittsburghProgress

Inspiration often lies in the transformative power of data. Consider how cities across the globe are harnessing data services to enhance urban living. From improving air quality to optimizing public transportation, these initiatives showcase the potential of informed decision-making. By embracing data-driven approaches, leaders are not only solving immediate challenges but also laying the groundwork for sustainable and thriving communities. This dedication to improvement speaks volumes about the possibilities that await when we commit to innovative frameworks. What strategies have you observed that leverage data for positive change? Share your insights and let's spark a conversation about the future of our cities! #DataDriven #UrbanInnovation #CommunityImpact #StrategicInsights https://lnkd.in/euMztC-w

📢The Indigenous Data Network is launching a powerful 4-year initiative designed to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities with the tools and resources they need to manage their own data effectively. The "Improving Indigenous Research Capabilities" project is set to revolutionise how Indigenous data is governed and accessed, building on national and international frameworks of Indigenous Data Governance and Indigenous Data Sovereignty. This initiative supports the aspirations of Indigenous researchers, corporations, and communities across Australia to take control of their data and its future. The project was established in 2022, as part of the Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC)’s HASS and Indigenous Research Data Commons. The next phase will deepen the collaboration with Indigenous data custodians, ensuring that the tools and practices developed are rooted in the unique ways Indigenous knowledge systems interact with data science. 👉Find out more: https://lnkd.in/gQCi2uJP

As our competition weekend is well and truly behind us, accompanied by excited event recaps, and while our judges are busy judging your entries (stay tuned!), let’s take a step back and reflect on what brought us all together: open data! 💡📶 At #GovHack, we’re passionate about the power of open data. As the largest open data hackathon in the Southern Hemisphere, we bring together a community of innovators, problem-solvers, and data enthusiasts who understand the profound impact that freely accessible data can have on our society. Open data serves as a critical tool in tackling some of the most pressing challenges we face—whether it’s climate change, public health, digital transformation, or urban planning. ❓ What is open data? Open data refers to data that is freely available to anyone to access, use, modify, and share. Governments, organisations, and institutions release large datasets on everything from economic indicators to environmental statistics and public health trends. This transparency empowers individuals and communities to find innovative ways to leverage this information. At its core, open data promotes accessibility, transparency, and collaboration—values we hold dear at GovHack. ❓ Why do we advocate for open data? ▶ Fostering Innovation: With no barriers to entry, open data can be used by anyone—from seasoned professionals to students looking for a starting point for their ideas. ▶ Promoting Transparency and Trust Trust between governments and citizens is vital to a functioning democracy. Open data initiatives promote transparency by allowing the public to see how decisions are made and understand government activities. ▶ Driving Evidence-Based Policy Making One of the most powerful aspects of open data is its ability to inform policy. When policymakers have access to accurate, up-to-date data, they can design solutions that are more likely to succeed. Evidence-based policymaking, grounded in real data, leads to more effective governance, especially when addressing societal issues such as housing affordability, environmental sustainability, or healthcare access. ▶ Creating Economic Value Research shows that open data initiatives can create significant economic value by sparking innovation, improving operational efficiencies, and opening up new markets. ▶ Enhancing Collaboration By working together, we can create solutions that leverage the knowledge and expertise of multiple disciplines. Open data also empowers people from diverse fields—whether they’re developers, designers, analysts, or community advocates—to tackle problems from new and innovative perspectives. At GovHack, we believe that the future of open data is bright. By engaging with data, we empower people to build a better, more inclusive society. Whether you’re a technologist, a policy wonk, or a concerned citizen, open data provides you with the tools to make a difference. #GovHackAU #GovHackNZ #hackathon #opendata  

How do you find out what data to use and what solutions you want to design from it? This month is the 10th anniversary of the Open Data Maturity Report in the EU. What the report does not consider is what the open data is used for and what value is created from it by designers and social scientists. Here is my hands-on tip on how you can design with open data without getting lost. When designing abstract spaces like online platforms from open data, your creativity can get stuck quickly. You are overwhelmed with a lot of information and requirements to consider. In addition, open data platforms offer millions of datasets you can use. Only on the EU portal are approximately 1.7 million datasets. Uff, how do you find out what data you should use and what solutions you want to design from it? My advice is: don’t start with the data. Take 10 minutes to quickly scribble the platform by hand. It does not need to be pretty but it gives you the chance to get your intuitive idea out before delving into the complexity of the data. This scribble will be your north star. Next, think about what data you would need to build this platform. Now you can make use of all the millions of open datasets available online and search for the datasets you need. Likely, you do not find the one dream dataset. You can either break your data down and look for multiple smaller data sets you can combine like the Berlin CityLAB did for their platform Water your Neighborhood (find link below). Or, you can work with the data material you find and iterate your design idea. Either way, you will end up with a concrete platform design idea + available open data. Amazing! Don’t know where to look for open data? Find 18 open data platforms in my latest article on Medium or freely accessible on my blog: https://lnkd.in/dC3ugApV Read on about the open data application Water your Neighborhood: https://lnkd.in/gdw_faUa #platformdesign #opendataanniversary #opendesignmaturity #10thanniversary #eudatapaortal