Departments and experts from the City of Los Angeles highlighted several strategic hurdles to overcome as they work to expand the capabilities of Smart City Digital Services by 2028. The city is committed to continually improving its digital user experiences and customer journey services. Among their identified difficulties are: Improving User Experience (UX) Across L.A. Digital Services; Accessibility and Awareness of L.A. Digital Services; and Privacy & Ethical Concerns.
In the City of Los Angeles, technology is fundamental to how we function in managing traffic, planning our communities, engaging our constituencies, and protecting our residents through the coordination of both existing and emerging Smart City Technologies, we are positioned to transform the way we live. – Ted Ross, Chief Information Officer, City of Los Angeles/General Manager, Information Technology Agency
Read more: US: California: Los Angeles to Boost Smart City Digital Services
Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot recently announced the formation of the Chicago Digital Equity Council, a multi-sector, community-driven endeavour to better understand and address the nuances of digital equity and permanently close Chicago’s digital gap. “That’s why we have mobilised City funding to close the digital divide and improve internet access in our most vulnerable communities.”
She added that closing gaps in technology and learning tools will benefit their entire community and will help to assist the next generation of digitally empowered Chicagoans, adding that one of her top priorities is to provide residents with the tools they need to reach their full potential.
Read more: US: Illinois: Chicago Committed to Digital Equity, Expands Citywide Internet
The City Council voted to hire an investigator to oversee its inquiry into a smart city plan that collapsed last month when a private consortium chosen by the city exited contract talks amid bid-rigging accusations.
Help wanted: a gumshoe to scour documents and question witnesses about New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell's doomed "smart city" contract. Qualifications: experience with legal proceedings and the savvy to navigate a political hornet's nest.
Read more: US: Louisiana: New Orleans to Hire Outside Investigator for Smart City Case
Through weeks of prepared statements, an interview and a public hearing, two New Orleans government employees involved in City Hall's failed “smart cities” project have downplayed their relationship with the companies that won the right to negotiate a 15-year broadband and infrastructure contract.
But Verge Internet, a private company founded by those employees, was once pitched to officials in Los Angeles as part of a “team of industry leaders” with Qualcomm and JLC Infrastructure on a similar plan to “bridge the digital divide” in that city, according to a newly obtained document.
A new tool from US Ignite helps communities search and filter federal grant opportunities to support broadband expansion and smart city deployments.
To make it easier for communities to find federal grants for their broadband and smart city projects, US Ignite launched the Federal Funding Opportunity Tool.
Read more: US: Need help finding broadband grants? Tool helps sift through opportunities