Open Data

Mapping the Digital Curb

A data mobility company released an open-data initiative that maps the physical features of curbs in six cities, with the goal of reducing congestion and improving accessibility.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

The Case For Embracing Transparency

COMMENTARY | It's time to rethink and reframe our approach to public records.

  • By Chris Bullock

The Difficult Balance of Transparency and Privacy for Local Governments

“Risk will never be zero so it has to be actively managed,” according to Jason Lally, data services manager for the city and county of San Francisco.

  • By Michael Grass

What Do State Chief Data Officers Do?

A look at the job that puts analytics to use in decision-making.

  • By The Pew Charitable Trusts

Bloomberg’s What Works Cities Program Hits a Big Milestone But Its Work Is Far From Done

Reaching its 100-city goal, the network focused on improving data-driven management practices in mid-size municipalities is continuing to foster “sustainability of practice” in city halls.

  • By Michael Grass

Register for the 2018 Code for America Summit

Mark your calendars and join us in Oakland, California.

  • By Route Fifty Staff

Midsize Cities Get a New, Free Data Portal Option

Open Data America wants to do for other municipalities what it did in Cary, North Carolina.

  • By Dave Nyczepir

An App for Citizens (or Health Inspectors) Frustrated With Finding Food Trucks

In an effort to resolve a government health code problem, they also found a way to empower businesses and citizens.

  • By Gillian "Gilly" Hulac

New Mapping Tool Helps Chattanoogans Explore Their City’s Data

"Open data has a tremendous ability to break down barriers and empower communities,” according to Mayor Andy Berke.

  • By Michael Grass

Las Vegas Begins Its Smart City Push

Starting with sensors at 10 intersections, Nevada’s largest city plans to grow out its IoT infrastructure and data-gathering operation to encompass its entirety by 2025.

  • By Dave Nyczepir

Boston Seeks a More Tech-Savvy Audience With New Open Data Platform

“We’re trying to establish a culture where the default for datasets is trying to make things open data,” said the city’s chief data officer.

  • By Dave Nyczepir

In the ‘New Un-Normal’ of Trump, Cities Will Continue to Be Beacons of Progress

Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia discusses how a new White House administration won’t stop the momentum that’s pushed his city and others like it forward.

  • By Michael Grass

Featured eBooks

Government Tech & Innovation
Management in City and County Government
State CIOs in 2020

Long Beach Tells Stories With New, Spatially Arranged Datasets

“We provide the raw data, but this gives residents the ability to see and understand datasets” that show how California’s sixth-largest city is evolving, according to Mayor Robert Garcia.

  • By Dave Nyczepir

Uber Is Finally Giving The Public a Glimpse of Its Stunning Trove of Transit Data

The new project is launching as Uber attempts to soften its image with cities worldwide.

  • By Alison Griswold, Quartz

Municipal Insights That Involve More ‘Than Just Plotting Data Points on a Map’

Cincinnati has rolled out 14 interactive dashboards that are regularly updated and built upon the city’s open data portal.

  • By Bill Lucia

Navigator Award Finalists: Sherry Schoonover and Team, City of Topeka, Kan.

Making its easier to track capital improvement projects—and the funding that’s been budgeted and spent on them.

  • By Michael Grass

Navigator Award Finalist: Michael Walters Young and Team, City of Franklin, Tenn.

Laying the foundation and making the case for open data.

  • By Michael Grass

Navigator Award Finalist: Chelsa Wagner and Team, Allegheny County Controller’s Office

Bringing greater transparency to county government finances.

  • By Michael Grass

Pittsburgh Launches New ‘Burgh’s Eye View’ Online Map Tool for City Data

The city plans to “open source” the computer code for the application in the coming weeks, offering a way for other local governments to replicate the project.

  • By Bill Lucia

Navigator Award Finalists: Jim Sparks and Team, Indiana Geographic Information Office

Leading a state effort to successfully aggregate datasets from all of Indiana’s 92 counties.

  • By Michael Grass

Navigator Award Finalist: Lillian Coral, Chief Data Officer, City of Los Angeles

Putting city services on the map, literally.

  • By Dave Nyczepir