Summit on Data-Smart Government: Resources and Materials

By Data-Smart City Solutions • December 20, 2017

Below is a collection of resources from the 2017 Data-Smart Summit presented by the Civic Analytics Network (CAN). 

Applying Mobility Data in Cities

Louisville was one of the first cities to partner with Waze, the world’s largest community-based traffic and navigation application. Through the Connected Citizens Program data exchange, Waze and the City of Louisville share incident, speed, and construction data. This enables the government to respond more immediately to accidents and congestion on their roads, and mine the historic data for future improvements. In turn, the company aggregates the City’s work-zone and road closure data on the Waze platform, resulting in the most succinct and thorough overview of current road conditions for citizens. Louisville has processed the raw Waze data feed into a usable platform internally that provides value for various departments. The City is now working to replicate this in AWS, and will open source code and processing tools on GitHub for other cities to quickly use. This session offers a look at the Waze data, process, code and how you can use it in your city to transform the data feed into actionable analytics and other valuable use cases for residents.

Presenter:

Michael Schnuerle, Data Officer, City of Louisville

Resources:

Leveraging Geospatial Data: The Los Angeles Story

Los Angeles has won international recognition for its GeoHub, a city-wide resource for data management and data visualization. Learn how the hub was created and how the CDO team developed a community of practice to improve city operations with data visualization.

Presenters:

  • Sari Ladin- Sienne, Ash Fellow, City of Los Angeles

  • Lilian Coral, Former Chief Data Officer, Los Angeles

Resources:

SF Data Academy: Developing a Data Culture Through Training

The San Francisco data team will share an overview of the way the city supports data literacy with its Data Academy. The session also includes highlights of the training delivered to city staff on creating dashboards and visualizations using Power BI.

Presenters:

  • Joy Bonaguro, Chief Data Officer, City of San Francisco

  • Blake Valenta, Ash Fellow, City of San Francisco

Resources:

The Value of Data-Driven Decision-Making

This session provides an introductory data literacy workshop that could be delivered in your city. Topics include data quality assessment, basic data analysis tools and how to present data for decision-makers.

Presenter:

  • Rayid Ghani, University of Chicago

Resources:

Police Early Intervention Systems

In this session, Joseph Walsh, Senior Data Scientist, provides a look at the data science work of the University of Chicago to develop a Police Early Intervention System that improves on current methods to identify officers at risk of adverse interactions. The model correctly flags more officers than existing early intervention systems while reducing incorrect flags.

Presenter:

  • Joseph Walsh, University of Chicago Center for Data Science and Public Policy

Resources:

Data Science Applications in City Government

San Diego has had a data scientist for over a year now and over that time has developed a methodology for working with departments to make the engagements maximally effective. Hear about data science engagements across the city, what works and what has been challenging. This session helps demystify the role of data scientist in city government and provides advice on how to make projects successful.

Presenter:

  • Arnaud Vedy, Data Science & Analytics Program Coordinator, City of San Diego

Resources:

A Practical Guide to Predictive Analytics in Chicago

From forging unique partnerships to finding new ways to use its data, the City of Chicago has taken on many innovative approaches to develop predictive models that enhance city services and quality of life for residents. In this workshop, Chicago reviews these approaches through the lens of several successful use cases, which include projects for restaurant inspection forecasting and beach water quality protection, among others. Attendees will also have an opportunity to gain insights for launching advanced analytics projects in their own cities and organizations.

Presenters:

  • Tom Schenk, Chief Data Officer, Chicago

  • Sean Thornton, Program Advisor, Ash Center

Resources:

Saving Lives Through Data: New Orleans Smoke Signals

When the New Orleans fire chief sought help from the city analytics team, he wanted to be able to prevent fire fatalities by identifying the homes most likely to have a fatality and least likely to have a smoke alarm. The city was already providing free smoke alarms but not on a data-driven basis. The model has already saved lives in New Orleans and the model is available for other cities. Syracuse has already replicated the model. Learn how your city can use this code to prevent fire fatalities.

Presenter:

  • Oliver Wise, Director of Performance and Accountability, City of New Orleans

  • Sam Edelstein, Chief Data Officer, Syracuse

Resources:

Preparing for Emergencies: New York City Data Drills

The Mayor’s Office of Data Analytics (MODA) conducted a series of “data drills” to prepare for a variety of possible incidents that could stress city data systems and operations. Bringing together leaders from across city departments to role play how they will respond to an emergency has improved data quality and interoperability, disaster or not. This model of preparation for how data is used as a tool for response to an incident has been institutionalized as a regular practice. Learn how you can conduct data drills in your city.

Presenters:

  • Craig Campbell, Special Advisor, Mayor’s Office of Data Analytics, New York City

  • James McConnell, Assistant Commissioner for Strategic Data, New York City Office of Emergency Management

  • Mitsue Iwata, Project Manager, Mayor’s Office of Data Analytics

  • Francoise Pickart, Senior Risk Analyst, Agency Preparedness, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

  • Madhury Ray, MD, MPH, Senior Analyst, Risk+Analytics, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

  • Amen Ra Mashariki, Innovations in American Government Fellow, Ash Center, Harvard Kennedy School (Former NYC Chief Analytics Officer)

Resources:

Human-Centered Approaches to Data + Digital Services

The framework of human-centered design - which starts with end-users and tailors solutions to meet their needs - has emerged as an effective and empathetic way to build tools and services, craft public policy, and solve problems that matter. Learn how municipalities are beginning to practice these techniques, and how the City of Pittsburgh is democratizing their use through training for frontline employees.

Presenter:

  • Robert Burack, Ash Fellow, City of Pittsburgh

Resources:

How to Scope Data Projects

In this session, Lauren Haynes, Associate Director at the Center for Data Science and Public Policy, walks participants through how to scope projects involving data, starting from identifying the problem you are trying to solve and the actions to address the issue.

Presenter:

  • Lauren Haynes, University of Chicago Center for Data Science and Public Policy

Resources:

Automation of Open Data Delivery

Automating time-intensive manual processes has saved San Diego city staff countless hours and has improved timeliness and accuracy of data. The San Diego CDO and his team have made the city’s open data more useful and usable by removing manual labor steps from open data delivery. Automation of processes enables alerts for data-driven decision making at scale and has also saved on costly outside solutions.

Presenter:

  • Maksim Pecherskiy, Chief Data Officer, City of San Diego

Resources:

Making Data Useful

New platforms are allowing cities to publicly share and visualize data in compelling ways. Hear about leading examples of data portals and data visualization enabling insights into data. Chief Data Officers from Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Cincinnati will share their insights on operationalizing and engaging constituents in interaction with open data, fostering transparency, public participation, and greater citywide data literacy.

Panelists:

  • Andrew Therriault, Chief Data Officer, City of Boston

  • Tom Schenk, Chief Data Officer, City of Chicago

  • Sari Ladin-Sienne, Acting Chief Data Officer and Ash Fellow, City of Los Angeles

  • Brandon Crowley, Chief Data Officer, City of Cincinnati

Moderator:

  • Stephen Goldsmith, Professor and Director, Innovations in Government Program, Harvard Kennedy School

Resources:

Engaging With Departments

How do data teams engage with departments to source, scope and execute analytics projects? Hear about models and lessons learned from leading CDOs.

Panelists:

  • Oliver Wise, Director, Office of Performance and Accountability, City of New Orleans

  • Joy Bonaguro, Chief Data Officer, City of San Francisco

  • Richard Todd, Strategic Advisor, Citywide Performance Team, City of Seattle

  • Maksim Pecherskiy, Chief Data Officer, City of San Diego

Moderator:

  • Stephen Goldsmith, Professor and Director, Innovations in Government Program, Harvard Kennedy School

Resources:

The Power of Urban Sensors

Cities are beginning to take advantage of the power of the Internet of Things to understand the urban environment. Hear about early sensor projects and lessons learned from leaders in urban data analysis, including the innovative research, design and partnerships that launched these successful initiatives.

Panelists:

  • Tom Schenk, Chief Data Officer, City of Chicago

  • Eric Roche, Chief Data Officer, Kansas City, MO

  • Laura Meixell, Assistant Director, Digital Services, City of Pittsburgh

  • Sam Edelstein, Chief Data Officer, City of Syracuse

Moderator:

  • David Margalit, Executive Director, Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative

Resources:

Optimizing EMS With Data

Emergency responders can save more lives when their basic logistics are optimized. Learn how cities are using data and analytics to speed the time from 911 call to response on the scene for medical emergencies.

Panelists:

  • Stefanie Costa Leabo, Director of Performance Management, City of Boston

  • Oliver Wise, Director, Office of Performance and Accountability, City of New Orleans

  • Amen Ra Mashariki, Innovations in American Government Fellow, Ash Center, Harvard Kennedy School (Former NYC Chief Analytics Officer)

Moderator:

  • Warren Dent, Program Manager for Content and Communications, Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative, Ash Center

Resources:

UX: The Power of Design and Nudges in Government

Putting the user experience at the center of government operations has transformative potential. Hear about how design and behavioral insights are already being successfully applied in cities.

Panelists:

  • Lindsay Moore, Advisor, Behavioral Insights Team

  • Andres Lazo, Director of Citizen-Centered Design, City of Gainesville

  • Santiago Garces, Chief Innovation Officer, City of South Bend

Moderator:

  • Stephen Goldsmith, Professor and Director, Innovations in Government Program, Harvard Kennedy School

Resources:

Tackling the Opioid Crisis With Data

Americans are dying at an unprecedented rate from opiate drug poisoning -- the national average stands at 78 fatal overdoses per day. Forced to grapple with the ravaging effects of drug addiction and overdose in their communities, cities, counties, and states across the country are turning to data analytics and mapping to help alleviate the human toll and better direct critical resources to address the epidemic. Learn how data analysis and visualization are shaping effective responses across the country.

Panelists:

  • Brandon Crowley, Chief Data Officer, City of Cincinnati

  • Ray Campbell, Executive Director, Center for Health Information and Analysis, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

  • Kim Hicks, Data Scientist, City of San Francisco

Moderator:

  • Tyler Kleykamp, Chief Data Officer, State of Connecticut

Resources:

Addressing the Challenges of Homelessness, Eviction, and Addiction

The challenge of homelessness in cities is compounded by the complexity of gathering accurate operational data. Hear about uses of data analytics to predict and prevent homelessness and to target those at risk of homelessness due to eviction or problematic use of opioids.

Panelists:

  • Lubov McKone, Analytics Fellow, City of Boston

  • Kim Hicks, Data Scientist, City of San Francisco

  • Carter Hewgley, Senior Advisor to the Administrator, Family Services Administration, Washington, D.C.

Moderator:

  • Joseph Cevetello, Chief Information Officer, City of Santa Monica

Resources:

Leveraging Cross-Sector Partnerships

Effective city data projects often need to leverage outside capacity from all sectors. Hear about how cities have effectively engaged with partners, ranging from universities to the private sector.

Panelists:

  • Santiago Garces, Chief Innovation Officer, City of South Bend

  • Tom Schenk, Chief Data Officer, City of Chicago

  • Laura Meixell, Assistant Director, Digital Services, City of Pittsburgh

  • Oliver Wise, Director, Office of Performance and Accountability, City of New Orleans

Moderator:

  • Kathy Pettit, Director, National Neighborhood Indicators Partnership, Urban Institute

Resources:

Optimizing Inspections with Analytics

Allocating limited city inspector resources in a city is an optimal challenge to address with data. Cities are able to direct inspectors in a more targeted way by using data analytics to predict and prioritize sites of public safety concern, such as restaurants health code violations, units at risk of fire safety violations, or rodent control issues.

Panelists:

  • Lauren Haynes, Associate Director, Center for Data Science and Public Policy, University of Chicago

  • Michelle Tat, Principal Data Scientist, City of Boston

  • Peter Casey, Senior Data Scientist, District of Columbia

  • Craig Campbell, Special Advisor, Mayor’s Office of Data Analytics, New York City

Moderator:

  • Andrew Nicklin, Director of Data Practices, Center for Government Excellence, Johns Hopkins University

Resources:

Using Data to Improve Mobility and Infrastructure

In this session Shan Jiang (MIT) and Laurel Paget-Seekins (MBTA) will discuss advanced approaches to transportation analysis. They will present a range of data projects that draw upon various sources, from train schedules to cell phone data. The panel will discuss new ideas in the field of mobility management through data, and highlight challenges that still require innovative solutions.

Panelists:

  • Shan Jiang, Postdoctoral Associate, MIT

  • Laurel Paget-Seekins, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

Resources:

Open Data as a Gateway to Engagement

At the nexus of accountability, transparency, and public engagement, open data represents an opportunity to build new relationships with city stakeholders. Hear how have cities leveraged open data as an opportunity to engage internal and external audiences.

Panelists:

  • Sari Ladin-Sienne, Acting Chief Data Officer and Ash Fellow, City of Los Angeles

  • Laura Meixell, Assistant Director, Digital Services, City of Pittsburgh

  • Katya Abazajian, Open Cities Analyst, Sunlight Foundation

Moderator:

  • Eric Gordon, Director and Professor, Engagement Lab at Emerson College

Resources:

Hacking Open Data: Interactive Engagement Tools

To be engaging to the public, open data portals need to be designed with end use in mind. Hear from CDOs who are building open source tools that crate visually-engaging and widely-useful applications that enliven portal data. Based on user-centered design principles, engaging open data portals offer clear, tailored and interactive user interfaces that foster return engagement from users with a range of technical experience.

Panelists:

  • Joy Bonaguro, Chief Data Officer, City of San Francisco

  • Tim Wisniewski, Chief Data Officer, City of Philadelphia

  • Maksim Pecherskiy, Chief Data Officer, City of San Diego

Moderator:

  • Teresa Acuña, Associate Director, Democratic Governance, Ash Center, Harvard Kennedy School

Resources:

311: Analytics Superhero

Most cities routinely collect thousands, some millions of rows of data with their 311 systems, but few fully leverage the potential for analytics and insight. Learn how cities use 311 data to understand crime, combat rodents and improve customer service.

Panelists:

  • Andrew Therriault, Chief Data Officer, City of Boston

  • Sam Lovison, Data and Performance Analyst, City of Boston

  • Tom Schenk, Chief Data Officer, City of Chicago

  • Stephane Contre, Chief Analytics Officer, City of Edmonton

Moderator:

  • Lena Geraghty, Senior Implementation Advisor, Center for Government Excellence, Johns Hopkins University

Resources:

Improving Public Safety Using Data Analytics and Visualization

How can data be used to make our criminal justice system more fair and efficient and enable allocation of resources to root causes of crime. Hear about new uses of analytics for reducing jail populations as well as data management and visualization for law enforcement.

Panelists:

  • Lauren Haynes Associate Director, Center for Data Science and Public Policy, University of Chicago

  • Barney Krucoff, Chief Data Officer, District of Columbia

  • Santiago Garces, Chief Innovation Officer, City of South Bend

Moderator:

  • Devin Romanul, Associate Director, Ash Center, Harvard Kennedy School

Resources:

Challenges and Opportunities in Transportation Data

Dive into the current landscape of transportation data with experts Finch Fulton (DOT), Ariel Gold (DOT), and Andres Sevtsuk (Harvard Graduate School of Design) to learn about the most pressing issues in the field, the work that’s being done, and the questions left to be answered.

Panelists:

  • Finch Fulton, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy, U.S. Department of Transportation

  • Ariel Gold, Data Program Manager, Intelligent Transportation Systems, U.S. Department of Transportation

  • Andres Sevtsuk, Assistant Professor of Urban Planning, Harvard Graduate School of Design

Moderator:

  • Stephen Goldsmith, Professor and Director, Innovations in Government Program, Harvard Kennedy School

Resources: