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
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
Odense, DK shapes local agreements on community improvements with the LEAP digital platform
A three-year engagement effort divided Odense neighborhoods into three cohorts for digital engagement on how to use 625 million kroner for neighborhood and school improvement. The LEAP - Leadership, Empowerment, and Advocacy for the People - platform hosted virtual meetings and sent online surveys to residents. Ongoing discussions with community members led to co-designed solutions for social vulnerability, public safety, and improved student outcomes.
Odense, DK
Denmark
London Borough of Merton, GB adopts technological approach to recognizing origins of street names
Borough officials initiated a two-month public consultation on how to acknowledge street names with historical ties to slavery. This process excluded street renaming due to the accompanying expense and mapping complications. A majority of respondents supported recognition with QR codes on impacted streets as the most popular solution. The council will develop QR landing pages that shed light on the backgrounds of streets like Marryat Road and Drax Avenue.
London Borough of Merton, GB
United Kingdom
Broward County, FL monitors trends in local rainfall and flooding with Document the Floods dashboard
County officials crowdsource resident reports of heavy rain and high tides using ArcGIS Survey123. The survey gathers data on affected areas, property types, water depth, and previous flooding. Residents pin their reported locations to an interactive map and supply visual evidence when available. The dashboard tracks flood patterns with a timeline of floods dating back to 2016 and visualizations of floods by municipalities.
Broward County, FL
United States
Rochester, NY evaluates sustainable solution to transit inequity with Floshare EV sharing program
The Floshare pilot stations shareable Chevy Bolts at three public parking lots. Commuters reserve EVs for $5 per hour or $40 per day on the Floshare mobile app. Each trip includes 150 free miles, insurance, roadside assistance, and free charges using EV Connect cards. City officials offered $10 in Floshare credits for every completed survey during a month-long engagement on user experiences.
Rochester, NY
United States
Saanich, BC seeks public input on proposed Financial Plan with budget education tool
Saanich used the Ethelo platform to build a budget education tool for its 2023-2027 Financial Plan. Local residents enter their assessed property value and find out what taxes are collected and how they are used. The tool educates users in eight budget categories and shows how budget increases or decreases impact their property taxes. District officials will consult resident suggestions and comments on budget explainers when finalizing the plan.
Saanich, BC
Canada
Townsville, QLD works toward 2030 zero-landfill goal with its Love Food Hate Waste campaign
Townsville introduced the three-week challenge in response to a bin audit identifying 52% of bin waste as compostable. Participants completed a pre-challenge survey and signed up for weekly tips on how to waste less food at home. There is a weekly prize drawing with winners selected from those who post their food waste tips on the council's Facebook posts about the challenge. Residents are entered into a grand prize drawing for completing the post-challenge survey.
Townsville, QLD
Australia
Ann Arbor, MI advances plans for a Sustainable Energy Utility following positive survey results
The proposed SEU creates a network of neighborhood microgrids based on solar energy. This utility would use on-bill financing, weatherization programs, and home energy waste reduction efforts for increased participation. A two-month survey found that 68% of the 1,867 respondents were interested in participation if SEU rates were at least equal to current utility rates. Ann Arbor submitted a U.S. Department of Energy grant application in February 2023 to fund microgrids in three neighborhoods.
Ann Arbor, MI
United States
Nillumbik, VIC locates mobile and Internet connectivity weak points with engagement campaign
The two-month campaign used an interactive map and survey to gather resident experiences with connectivity issues. The interactive map supported location-specific markers with indicators of weak Internet or mobile phone service. A short survey asked respondents about their locations, primary connectivity usage, and the impacts of poor service. Shire officials will rely on data from the campaign when lobbying state and federal officials for infrastructure upgrades.
Nillumbik, VIC
Australia
Whistler, BC Community Monitoring Dashboard tracks progress toward Official Community Plan goals
The dashboard gathers data from local surveys, Statistics Canada, and service providers. There are performance snapshots of recent trends in OCP core pillars including Tourism Based Economy and Sense of Place. A Corporate Indicators section evaluates positive, neutral, and negative trends in six corporate plan goals like Accountability and Infrastructure. Dashboard users also learn about trends in resort development, snowfall, and population growth in the Facts & Figures section.
Whistler, BC
Canada
Greater Geelong, VIC surveys young people about pandemic impacts for COVID-19 Youth Impact Report
Residents aged 12 to 25 complete a short survey about the effects of COVID-19 on their health, well-being, and long-term goals. Participants also suggest ideas for how the council can counter pandemic-related challenges. Greater Geelong encourages participation in the one-month survey with a random drawing for an AUD 50 shopping voucher. The Youth Development Unit will combine survey responses with academic research in developing services, events, and other resources for young people.
Greater Geelong, VIC
Australia