Good Ideas

Cities Look to Public Restrooms to Clean Up Downtowns, Attract Tourists

Officials and advocates in cities like Denver want to capitalize on downtown growth and preserve public health by offering better access to public restrooms.

By The Pew Charitable Trusts
September 5, 2017

D.C. Hosted a Hackathon for Making Better Paperwork. Try To Control Your Excitement.

D.C.’s new innovation lab wanted to redesign red tape, and the city’s wonks were eager to help.

By Kriston Capps and Gracie McKenzie, CityLab
August 9, 2017

How Denver Is Preparing to Battle a Catastrophic Tree-Killing Pest

“I’m beautiful, I’m nasty, and I’m coming to kill your ash tree,” according to the “Smart Ash” campaign.

By John Tomasic
June 20, 2017

As School Starts, More States Focus on Native American Students

Strong Native American language and culture programs in schools have been found to lower attrition, enhance student-teacher relations and improve attendance.

By The Pew Charitable Trusts
September 8, 2016

Missouri Policy Shows Way to Safely Reducing Probation and Parole Populations

The policy aims to reduce officer caseloads so resources can be directed at those most at risk of re-offending.

By The Pew Charitable Trusts
August 16, 2016

Zombie Invasion: Rethinking Undead Mobile Apps

Plenty of old, outdated, “zombie” native mobile apps are still around, swaying and shuffling around the app stores without serving a useful purpose for the government agencies that created them.

By Nolan Jones
June 30, 2016

From Idaho, a Municipal Fiber Model That Allows Developers to Innovate

Ammon’s residents can opt in and out of the city’s network and switch between independent ISPs instantly—ending cable monopolies.

By Dave Nyczepir
June 24, 2016

In Opioid Abuse Fight, Pennsylvania Tries Out New Tool: Facebook Video

In a crowded media ecosystem, can dialogue on state government policy compete against live exploding watermelons?

By Quinn Libson
June 20, 2016

Route Fifty Roadmap: New Hospital Taking Shape in Vacant Mall Department Store

In Ontario, Ohio, a vast empty parking lot shows signs of life through an unusual new use for a challenging redevelopment site.

By Michael Grass
May 19, 2016

L.A. Looks to Local University Entrepreneurs for New Civic Innovations

The first-ever Mayor’s Cup invites applicants to pitch their ideas for civic engagement and boosting the local economy.

By Dave Nyczepir
May 18, 2016

Nominations Deadline Extended for Route Fifty Navigator Awards

We’re looking to honor 50 individuals and teams in state and local government from around the United States who have demonstrated excellence in implementing great ideas. Enter by Friday, July 1!

By Michael Grass
May 18, 2016

Green Projects in 8 Cities Receive $30,000 to $75,000 Matching Grants

The money comes through a program affiliated with a Florida-based nonprofit.

By Bill Lucia
May 9, 2016

This Bay Area County Is Filling Its Ranks With Emancipated Foster Youth

STEP participants receive paid job experience and career coaching in the process.

By Dave Nyczepir
May 6, 2016

The Internet of Things and Cities: A Billion Points of Policy

Before diving in head first into the world of IoT, local governments seriously consider some of the potential risks when it comes to critical matters like cybersecurity.

By Maggie Pasqualone
April 28, 2016

Pittsburgh Will Give Civic Startups a Chance to Pilot Projects With City Departments

“It's pretty exciting to be able to open the doors up . . . And to really be asking the question of startups: How can we work together?” says the city’s innovation chief.

By Bill Lucia
April 27, 2016

An Illinois County Provides Model to Get a Pill-Disposal Program Up and Running

Lake County knew that preventing prescription drugs from getting into a water supply or the wrong hands is important. And it got help from Walgreens in its prescription turn-in efforts.

By Quinn Libson
April 27, 2016

States Might Want to Consider Advanced Analytics for Cybersecurity. Here’s Why.

Quickly detecting threats is a key goal with this approach to keeping computer networks safe.

By Bill Lucia
April 24, 2016

Los Angeles City Controller Unveils New Economic and Demographic Data Portal

“[R]esidents, businesses and policymakers all have new tools to separate facts from fiction, and to make better data-driven decisions,” according to Ron Galperin.

By Michael Grass
April 14, 2016

New Peer Network Formed for Chief Data Officers in City Governments

The Civic Analytics Network will help facilitate the sharing of ideas and data innovations to improve municipal governance.

By Michael Grass
April 12, 2016

Here’s How Chicago Is Ramping Up Its Fight Against Rats

Following a sharp rise in complaints this year, Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s administration is increasing the number of rodent control crews. It’s using predictive analytics for targeting efforts, too.

By Bill Lucia
April 12, 2016

Seattle Puts Forward Action Plan Aimed at Bridging Its Digital Divide

In the Pacific Northwest’s largest city, 93,000 residents don’t have Internet access. Mayor Ed Murray’s administration has 19 strategies it hopes to use to connect the unconnected.

By Bill Lucia
March 30, 2016

D.C.’s new innovation lab wanted to redesign red tape, and the city’s wonks were eager to help.

“I’m beautiful, I’m nasty, and I’m coming to kill your ash tree,” according to the “Smart Ash” campaign.

Strong Native American language and culture programs in schools have been found to lower attrition, enhance student-teacher relations and improve attendance.

The policy aims to reduce officer caseloads so resources can be directed at those most at risk of re-offending.

Plenty of old, outdated, “zombie” native mobile apps are still around, swaying and shuffling around the app stores without serving a useful purpose for the government agencies that created them.

Ammon’s residents can opt in and out of the city’s network and switch between independent ISPs instantly—ending cable monopolies.

In a crowded media ecosystem, can dialogue on state government policy compete against live exploding watermelons?

In Ontario, Ohio, a vast empty parking lot shows signs of life through an unusual new use for a challenging redevelopment site.

The first-ever Mayor’s Cup invites applicants to pitch their ideas for civic engagement and boosting the local economy.

We’re looking to honor 50 individuals and teams in state and local government from around the United States who have demonstrated excellence in implementing great ideas. Enter by Friday, July 1!

The money comes through a program affiliated with a Florida-based nonprofit.

Featured eBooks

STEP participants receive paid job experience and career coaching in the process.

Before diving in head first into the world of IoT, local governments seriously consider some of the potential risks when it comes to critical matters like cybersecurity.

“It's pretty exciting to be able to open the doors up . . . And to really be asking the question of startups: How can we work together?” says the city’s innovation chief.

Lake County knew that preventing prescription drugs from getting into a water supply or the wrong hands is important. And it got help from Walgreens in its prescription turn-in efforts.

Quickly detecting threats is a key goal with this approach to keeping computer networks safe.

“[R]esidents, businesses and policymakers all have new tools to separate facts from fiction, and to make better data-driven decisions,” according to Ron Galperin.

The Civic Analytics Network will help facilitate the sharing of ideas and data innovations to improve municipal governance.

Following a sharp rise in complaints this year, Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s administration is increasing the number of rodent control crews. It’s using predictive analytics for targeting efforts, too.

In the Pacific Northwest’s largest city, 93,000 residents don’t have Internet access. Mayor Ed Murray’s administration has 19 strategies it hopes to use to connect the unconnected.

Thank you!