Cities seeking to become more tech-savvy and open up their data are turning to independent software developers to solve their problems.
Tina Trenckner reports that "interest in partnerships between independent software developers and cities has exploded."
"Smartphones' popularity is one reason why the developer-city government dynamic has grown so quickly. Another is economic. Like most governments, cities face tight budgets and have fewer resources. But the lack of funds for IT hasn't stifled the desire to be innovative. "We need to think about how we can leverage the excess capacity that's inherent in our people to solve all those problems and there's no other solution," Corbett says."
FULL STORY: Local Coders Help Improve Government Functions

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.

Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.

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Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
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