Chicago's big-data projects seem unwieldy, but there is a sound core plan informing them.
"Chicago is often praised as a leader in civic technology, its analytics projects hailed as exemplary. But does this city truly merit all the kudos?"
"After reading yet another reference to Chicago's innovative use of text analytics (to battle rat infestations, among other things), I poked around a bit to learn more about Chicago's award-winning approach to civic tech," writes Mary Jander.
"Some critics have argued that Chicago's big-data projects are more flash than substance," she says. "Still, there is a lot of visible progress. The city won $1 million from Bloomberg Philanthropies in March 2013 to 'build the first citywide real-time predictive analytics platform.' The Chicago Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT) calls this project the SmartData platform, formerly nicknamed 'Windy Grid,' a real-time analysis system that works alongside a series of separate tools to boost Chicago's analytics capabilities."
FULL STORY: Chicago's Data Projects: Overblown or On Target?

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Vehicle-related Deaths Drop 29% in Richmond, VA
The seventh year of the city's Vision Zero strategy also cut the number of people killed in alcohol-related crashes by half.

As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.

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The Philadelphia-area transit agency is legally tasked with maintaining a balanced budget. Officials hope the state will come to the rescue with additional funding.

Connecticut Governor Vetoes Housing Bill
Gov. Lamont reversed his view on a controversial affordable housing bill that would have required municipalities to zone for set amounts of affordable housing to receive state funding.
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