More than 20 cities join international data alliance

30 June 2024

by Jonathan Andrews

Twenty-three mayors will receive operational support and technical assistance to build leading data and artificial intelligence practices and infrastructure in their city halls after being chosen to join the Bloomberg Philanthropies City Data Alliance.

The cohort aims to enhance government delivery and resident outcomes, such as increasing access to healthcare, expanding affordable housing, improving public safety, or reducing homelessness.

“Through the City Data Alliance, more cities are now using data across city hall agencies to tackle their toughest challenges, from expanding affordable housing to improving public transportation,” said Michael Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and former mayor of New York City. “Today we’re glad to welcome 23 more cities to our programme and provide them with the tools, support, and connections they need to capitalise on emerging technologies and put data to work on behalf of their residents.”

The alliance helps cities across North, Central, and South America with populations of 100,000 or more to reach an advanced data standard to better their communities. The addition of the 23 new cities brings the total number in the alliance to 65 across 12 countries.

“Cities that are harnessing the extraordinary amount of data out there are better positioned to understand resident needs, source innovative solutions, and lead from the front when it comes to artificial intelligence,” said James Anderson, who leads the Government Innovation programme at Bloomberg Philanthropies. “The mayors of these 23 cities want to put their municipal governments in the driver’s seat when it comes to leveraging data – and the [alliance] will help them develop the policies and practices to do just that.”

 Already, cities’ work as part of the Bloomberg Philanthropies City Data Alliance has resulted in:

  • A citywide data strategy and hackathons in Chattanooga, Tennessee which led to the launch of an interactive affordable housing tool that connects qualified tenants in-need to low-cost housing options and providers.
  • The creation of a centralised Urban Monitoring Centre in Las Condes, Chile which enhanced data collection and sharing across departments to reduce crime and improve public safety.
  • And a citywide data strategy in Montevideo, Uruguay which underpinned the city’s emergency response to a severe drought crisis. The city’s data strategy enabled the municipality to rapidly assess the situation, identify safe well-water reserves, communicate with residents in real-time, and target the delivery of more than 940,000 litres of water.

The alliance is delivered in partnership with the Bloomberg Center for Government Excellence (GovEx) at Johns Hopkins University, along with the Behavioral Insights Team and Public Digital. The City Data Alliance aligns and builds on the success of the Bloomberg Philanthropies What Works Cities Certification, led by Results for America, a standard of excellence for data-informed, well-managed local government.

 

Image: Emilyprofamily | Dreamstime.com

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