A new report and interactive website from the Knight Foundation attempt to define (broadly) and measure the growing synthesis of technology and civic life.
What exactly is civic tech, you ask? "It includes for-profit companies like Socrata, which builds platforms for governments to publish their open data, and non-profits like TurboVote, which simplify the voter registration process," writes Emily Badger. "It includes entrepreneurs crowd-funding community projects, making sense out of public data, and helping you tell your government what you want."
"Together, these types of companies and organizations have loosely come to define 'civic tech' – and the potential for a future where technology finally, seamlessly, significantly alters how we relate to government and our neighbors," she explains.
The Knight Foundation has published a new report and launched an interactive website that seek to paint a picture of the field and analyze the current state of investment based around the broad themes of open government and community action.
FULL STORY: The Rise of Civic Tech
Cities Awarded for Data-Driven Projects
The What Cities Works Certification recognizes cities for using data to solve real problems.
How Smart Cities Influence Real Estate Investment
By integrating technology and infrastructure, smart cities are attracting investors with their potential for improved quality of life, efficient resource management, and innovative urban development projects.
Harnessing Data for Community Development
Using data and insights encourages the development of a community, offering an evidence-based strategy to directly address the needs within.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?
Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.
Map: Where Senate Republicans Want to Sell Your Public Lands
For public land advocates, the Senate Republicans’ proposal to sell millions of acres of public land in the West is “the biggest fight of their careers.”
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.
California Homeless Arrests, Citations Spike After Ruling
An investigation reveals that anti-homeless actions increased up to 500% after Grants Pass v. Johnson — even in cities claiming no policy change.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)