Twitter, iPhones, and new sites like SeeClickFix make it increasingly easy for citizens and governments to communicate. Along with newly available data sets, these "Gov 2.0" apps may signal a new era of active citizens and responsive governments.
Whether alerting governments to potholes and graffiti or finding the safest route home from work, an explosion of "Gov 2.0" apps and newly available municipal datasets make it easier than ever for citizens to find out what's happening locally and alert governments to problems in their neighborhoods. At the same time, these tech tools make it easy for governments to track citizens' concerns and requests and respond promptly.
"'I see [these applications] as the death of a passive relationship with government,' said Clay Johnson, director of Sunlight Labs, a group promoting Gov 2.0 apps."
From San Francisco to New York a number of larger cities are indeed embracing mobile and web-based technologies to make citizen engagement easier, though some cities and smaller towns are hesitant to take the plunge.
Thanks to Rebecca Sanborn Stone
FULL STORY: Cities embrace mobile apps, 'Gov 2.0'
The Good and the Bad of Planning Websites
Students review municipal planning department websites in cities with more than 50,000 people to identify strengths and weaknesses. This post shares examples of the use of websites for information sharing and engagement.
Can "Webinars" Make Planning Workshops Obsolete?
Can planners effectively use on-line meeting technology to host public participation workshops? The City of Los Angeles' Department of City Planning recently decided to find out for itself by experimenting with a "webinar" format for two kickoff workshops highlighting the City's 2010 draft citywide Bicycle Plan. A webinar is a web conference, where participants can access a virtual meeting using a computer and Internet connection. Participants access a website to see the presente's computer screen and also listen to the presenter through the computer's speakers or using a telephone.
Phoenix Seeks to Adopt AI for City and Regional Planning
An extension of the Phoenix metro region’s half-cent transportation sales tax by voters this November would give the city a green flag, and funding, to expand its use of AI as a planning tool.
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
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Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service