Citizen Engagement
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Bridgeport, CT tests video-based citizen engagement system
The city is testing a new video-based system, Rep'd, that will allow its council representatives to to field questions from the public and share information. The six-month pilot will cost $12,000.
Bridgeport, CT
United States
Kitchener, ON Growing Together engagement campaign shapes the future of Major Transit Station Areas
Kitchener took a multi-faceted approach to shaping future developments at MTSAs with Growing Together. Online exercises on the Engage Kitchener platform asked for residents' favorite places and streets near ION light rail stops. Community members were also asked for comments on proposed Strategic Growth Areas supporting responsible development near MTSAs. In-person workshops and office hours used 3D-printed city models for informed discussions of growth proposals.
Kitchener, ON
Canada
Kwinana, WA turns resident ideas into revitalized spaces with the Wellard Village 7 Day Makeover
Local residents proposed, voted on, and planned public space improvements during a brainstorming session. The council developed a Resource Bank with donated materials and funds. Community members and city employees brought approved ideas to life during the one-week event. Natural play areas, an arcade, and additional seating improved a high-traffic area of the village called The Strand. Follow-up surveys and a post-event Place Game provided additional avenues for public engagement.
Kwinana, WA
Australia
Birmingham City Council, GB DIATOMIC Accelerator seeks digital innovation in city operations
The city-backed challenge asks small and medium-sized enterprises for innovations in four themes - data insights, performance, knowledge sharing, and citizen engagement. Proposed pilots will use digital services and data in areas ranging from asset management to fleet optimization. Birmingham and Connected Places Catapult offer £500,000 in funds to 12 selected applicants. The winning entrants also receive technical assistance and guidance from city departments.
Birmingham City Council, GB
United Kingdom
Auckland Council, NZ Future Fit tool for carbon footprint reduction expands into business community
Auckland Council introduced Future Fit in 2019 as an online tool for residents to measure and reduce their environmental impacts. A recently introduced version encourages emission-reduction efforts among corporate teams and small businesses. Future Fit uses questionnaires and national data to calculate personal footprints at the outset of participation. Companies track real-time footprint changes as employees complete 30 activities in six categories.
Auckland Council, NZ
New Zealand
Stirling, WA deploys AI-powered chatbot for community feedback on local parks and facilities
Stirling and Hello Lamppost introduced Ainsley for public engagement during the design of its 10-year Community Infrastructure Plan. Signs with QR codes for the chatbot were installed at 42 locations including libraries, basketball courts, and community centers. Ainsley asks questions about visitor experiences, facility conditions, and areas of improvement by text message. The chatbot can also answer questions about city facilities and amenities.
Stirling, WA
Australia
Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council, GB asks for budget feedback with online simulator
Council officials sought resident suggestions on how to reduce borough expenses by £38 million for a balanced 2023-2024 budget. Simulator users toggled subcategories of six budget areas including Adult Social Care & Health, Neighbourhood Services, and Regeneration. The toggle feature allowed budget reductions of up to 75%. A running total of budget savings turned from red to green when the user achieved a balanced budget.
Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council, GB
United Kingdom
Windsor, ON generates public feedback on budget deliberations with trio of online tools
Local residents make their voices heard about the 10-year capital plan with Prioritize. This easy-to-use tool allows a user to rank their top five capital project areas from eight categories. The Operating Budget Simulation seeks taxpayer suggestions for spending increases or decreases with a focus on a balanced budget. Homeowners can input their municipal property tax payments into the Tax Receipt Generator for itemized estimates of public expenditures.
Windsor, ON
Canada
Portland, OR develops Surveillance Technologies Policy for the protection of privacy rights
The Smart City PDX team is leading the city's engagement with residents on the new policy. A February 2022 draft requires a department-by-department inventory of current surveillance assets. Additional requirements include an annual report on surveillance activities, procurement rules for future technologies, and oversight guidelines. If approved, the policy would build on a 2020 ordinance banning the private-sector use of facial recognition in public places.
Portland, OR
United States
Nottinghamshire County Council, GB trials new public feedback method during microasphalt project
Nottinghamshire and Via East Midlands are resurfacing 60 locations using the innovative method. Impacted households received letters with information about nearby roadwork and a QR code. The code leads to an eight-question survey about council communications during the project. The letter joined an informative YouTube video and street signage in raising awareness of road improvements. County officials will design feedback campaigns for future projects based on pilot results.
Nottinghamshire County Council, GB
United Kingdom
Calgary, AB and local schools envision the future of the city's downtown with a Minecraft challenge
The Level Up, Calgary challenge asked 12,000 public school students to explore a virtual version of the city. Participants were asked to integrate the Downtown Strategy into a Minecraft world and suggest their own improvements. Each student submitted a one-minute video explaining their ideas and how they would enrich city life. Winners in four age groups - K-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12 - collaborate with city planners on adapting their suggestions for the real world.
Calgary, AB
Canada
Chicago, IL pursues independent mediation pilot for select police conduct complaints
The six-month pilot diverts community complaints for mediation by the Center for Conflict Resolution. The Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) will select complaints related to failure to provide service, inappropriate conduct, and bias for the program. Project leaders are evaluating if independent mediation improves the transparency and fairness of misconduct investigations. Chicago and CCR developed the pilot based on feedback from community workshops and surveys.
Chicago, IL
United States