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Blockchain-powered IDs for the homeless in Austin; mobile licenses get a test drive in Delaware; and large-scale zero energy housing development in Seoul
Government Innovators Netowrk
 
April 12, 2018
book cover with city skyline for A New City O/S

 

In the Boston area? Join Stephen Goldsmith to discuss his new book on April 18 at Harvard

Join us for a discussion of "A New City O/S: The Power of Open, Collaborative, and Distributed Governance," Steve Goldsmith's latest book, on April 18 at 4:15 pm. Goldsmith, director of the Ash Center's Innovations in Government Program, will be joined by Ash Center Director Tony Saich and Emily Rueb, a reporter for the New York Times and a 2018 Nieman Fellow. Event details>>

Can't make it to the event? Read more about the book here>>

WHAT'S NEW


EZ HOUSE building with solar panels

Zero Energy Housing in Seoul

Innovators Insights Blog

The "EZ HOUSE" development in Seoul is the ambitious product of public-sector entrepreneurship and private-sector drive working together to build the first zero energy building residential complex in South Korea at the scale of a small village. Read more>>

computer screen displaying computer code

The Right Way to Regulate Algorithms

Stephen Goldsmith on CityLab

Algorithms are intended to make decision-making more objective. But data-based tools will have the opposite effect if they aren’t subject to public scrutiny. Read more>>

IN THE NEWS


Bloomberg Philanthropies Funds Blockchain-based ID Development for Homeless

The city of Austin is developing the use of blockchain technology — the same distributed ledger technology behind cryptocurrencies — to make it easier for the city's estimated 7,000 homeless residents to have a secure ID to access housing, employment, and social services. With funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies, the city will create a prototype program that assigns unique identifiers for this population, storing them on a blockchain. The program’s design includes an advisory committee comprised of those experiencing homelessness to help ensure the program meets their needs. The idea to use blockchain to provide aid and services was inspired by a UN program that uses the technology to transfer food-assistance funds to Syrian refugees.

Louvre Abu Dhabi Uses Billboards and Radio to Give Highway Gallery Tours

The Louvre Abu Dhabi recently unveiled a series of 10 billboards each featuring a different work of art from the new museum’s collection, which have been installed along a roadway between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The initiative, being touted by Abu Dhabi's Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, will use participating radio stations to transmit a 30-second narrative about each piece as drivers approach the billboards. Planners hope the roadside gallery increases visits to the museum and provides exposure to art for novice museum-goers. The highway supports over 12,000 commuters daily.

Can Apprenticeships Train the Workforce of the Future? States Hope So.

To address the paradoxical problem of coexisting labor shortages and unemployment, a growing number of states are establishing or growing apprenticeship programs, particularly in rural areas where it is often difficult to attract and retain new workers. In many cases, those searching for employment lack the skills needed for the positions sought, not only in manufacturing and building trades, but also in banking, cybersecurity, accounting, and health care. These apprenticeships are being fostered at the state level through tax incentives, structural changes in the approach to governmental oversight, and strengthened partnerships with community colleges that allow participants to receive an academic credential when they complete an apprenticeship.

Mobile Driver’s License Will Allow Police to ‘Ping’ Cellphones in Delaware Pilot Study

Delaware may become the first state to rollout digital driver’s licenses if a new pilot program is successful. The Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles recently launched a six-month trial to test the mobile license in real-world scenarios, which will involve around 200 DMV employees and stakeholders. Features of the mobile licenses could include enhanced privacy for age verification, the ability to transmit driver’s license information to police officers before they walk toward a vehicle at a traffic stop, and secure PIN or facial recognition access.

Making Elementary School A Lot More Fun: Like Preschool!

Over the past five years, Boston has been rolling out a more "play-based" curriculum along with student-led activities to early education and elementary schools, emphasizing a more exploratory model for learning over a traditional top-down approach. The curriculum is designed to adjust to the varying needs of young students with different skill sets. Observational reports from teachers are encouraging, while further research is investigating whether this new early childhood approach is making an academic difference.

Louisville Plans to Become First US City to Use Drones to Respond to Gunshots

Louisville, Kentucky, could become the first US city to deploy autonomous drones equipped with cameras to sites where gunshots have been detected by the ShotSpotter sensor system, providing law enforcement with a live situational assessment. Under the plan, currently being reviewed by the FAA, a drone would arrive on the scene after a gunshot is detected, provide an aerial view of what is occurring while capturing video evidence, and allow officers to avoid having to respond to false alarms. Privacy advocates are concerned that this use of drone technology has the potential to disproportionately target low-income and communities of color.

BETTER, FASTER, CHEAPER


One City’s Collaborative Approach to Putting Data to Work

The thriving Canadian municipality of Mississauga is harnessing innovative technology and stakeholder buy-in to become a model for connected communities.

ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER


Innovators Insights is the news digest from the Government Innovators Network on the latest in government innovations. This digest is sent out every two weeks and is compiled and written by the editorial staff of the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard Kennedy School. In each issue, the editorial team identifies top policy and programmatic news that is related to government innovations so that you can stay informed about creative government at its best.

Editor: Jessica Engelman
Researcher & Writer: Brendan St. Amant
Note: The stories in this newsletter link to source articles on other websites and may not be available after a certain length of time.



ABOUT THE ASH CENTER


The Roy and Lila Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation advances excellence in governance and strengthens democratic institutions worldwide. Through its research, education, international programs, and government innovations awards, the Center fosters creative and effective problem solving and serves as a catalyst for addressing many of the most pressing needs of the world's citizens. The Ford Foundation is a founding donor of the Center. Additional information about the Ash Center is available at http://ash.harvard.edu.

 
 
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