Taking transparency to the next level in cities
As confidence in public institutions continues to be challenged, local leaders realize that the old ways of "being open" aren't enough. That's why a growing number of cities are pushing the boundaries of transparency. In Syracuse, N.Y., that means reimagining service-delivery communications. In Portland, Ore., it means raising the bar for open procurement. And in Boston, it means making the mayor's one-on-one meetings accessible in public spaces.
These efforts underscore a key lesson: Innovation is essential to advancing transparency and deepening public trust.
Resources for City Innovators
The leaders bringing the innovation mindset into the mainstream
While innovation was once confined to small pockets of city halls, it is increasingly a must-have capability in high demand across all levels of local government. And one of the ways they're doing so is by positioning seasoned innovators, including veterans of the Bloomberg Philanthropies-funded Innovation Team (i-team) program, in new roles—giving them fresh opportunities and additional resources with which to drive impact for residents.