The city of Phoenix is on a role for its use of technology, as it has once again been named a Top 10 Digital Cities Survey winner among cities with 500,000 or more residents.
The 20th annual survey, which is organized by The Center for Digital Government, honors cities for utilizing technology to resolve social challenges, enhance services and strengthen cybersecurity, among other accomplishments. The 2020 survey also praises cities using technology to better assist residents despite new challenges sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic. Phoenix responded quickly by digitizing government participation through virtual City Council and community meetings, as well as quickly moving thousands of city employees to mobile/virtual workplaces. The city expanded its Wi-Fi coverage outside of almost 50 libraries, community, senior and recreation centers to ensure all students have internet access while schools are closed and providing virtual lessons.
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said the pandemic “has exacerbated the need to bridge the digital divide.”
The city’s sophisticated use of analytics, digital inclusion and COVID-19 response led it to place fourth in the survey, advancing a spot from 2019. The 2020 submission revealed the digital enhancements of the Phoenix Police Public Records request process, which provides 10 online choices ranging from incident reports to crime statistics. Phoenix is now focused on a measure that will speed up the digital transformation of the city’s 311 CRM infrastructure. This platform will offer multiple channels for submitting service requests and comments, as well as will improve digital service delivery without the need for in-person interactions.
To learn more about the Digital Cities Survey, visit govtech.com/cdg.
