There is unlimited information at our fingertips; we are constantly being bombarded with news articles, updates from political officials and misinformation. For better or worse, the fast-changing nature of politics can be attributed to the internet and social media. The development of e-government, better communication between officials and constituents and a larger network for campaigning have all fostered a political environment that is more inclusive but riddled with misinformation — decreasing American political efficacy.
One of the biggest changes in politics is the development of e-government — a tool that has existed nearly as long as the internet has. This aims to increase the effectiveness of government while making government services more widely available to citizens. Although e-government has effectively provided millions with open-source data, government programs and assistance, its inclusivity is limited because of unequal access to the internet.
New methods of financing can open up much needed investment in infrastructure.
In industrial facilities, the importance of preventive maintenance is well-understood. Sure, you could save a few bucks by skipping scheduled part inspections and replacements — but those parts would break sooner as a result, putting an expensive dent in your factory’s output. Instead of sparing the oil can, plant managers know it’s better to invest upfront, and keep their machinery in prime condition.
Weiterlesen: US: Why cities need to get smart about maintenance
There’s much that newcomers to government should learn from the past.
One of the most striking things new White House staffers encounter when they first walk into their offices in the White House or the large, gray Eisenhower Executive Office Building next door is the emptiness. The previous occupants leave no files or other records beyond those retained by career staff in the Office of Management and Budget and other agencies. All policy documents are sent to the National Archives, and the General Services Administration will have cleaned everything else away before the new staffers arrive.
Weiterlesen: US: Lessons From 30 Years of Government Reform Efforts
Based on an analysis of community improvement districts in the Atlanta metro area, Georgia Tech researchers have concluded that CIDs are primed to spearhead any number of smart city initiatives.
A new report indicates that community improvement districts (CIDs) are well poised to explore smart city technologies.
The report, titled Ready for the Smart(er) City: How Community Development Districts are Building the Future, details how the public rights-of-way, infrastructure and operational structure of CIDs translate to ideal areas for testing and deployment of smart city initiatives in fields like transportation and safety.
Weiterlesen: US: Georgia: Atlanta: Community Improvement Districts Ripe for Smart City Innovation
The key to urban planning and smart city development is data, experts say. That sounds easy enough considering the amount of data available today, but challenges persist.
For one, cities don’t have a great track record with data management.
“Cities operate a lot of things still on paper,” said Justin Dennis, CTO and co-founder of Urban SDK, a software-as-a-service company. “There’s a massive transformation” that needs to happen, he said, starting with the ability to share data.