Data-Smart City Pod

In this episode, host Stephen Goldsmith is joined by communications expert and strategist Cameron Trimble, founder and CEO of Hip-Politics, to discuss the evolving role of local digital influencers in city government communications. Trimble explains exactly how local governments can leverage digital creators to spread important messages in an authentic and engaging way and highlights the importanc...

In this episode, host Stephen Goldsmith is joined by MIT Professor Sarah Williams and Boston CIO Santi Garces to explore the ways that generative AI is transforming how cities - and residents - use data. Williams shares insights from her work at the Civic Data Design Lab, discussing how GenAI can help make sense of vast amounts of qualitative data, from city council minutes to community feedback....

In this episode, host Professor Stephen Goldsmith is joined by Amanda Ford from the Mayor's Office of Innovation in San Francisco City to discuss how her team is successfully breaking down data silos to improve services for the city’s most vulnerable residents. Amanda provides insights into the Office's innovative approach, which includes leveraging integrated data systems, fostering trust and col...

It's the start-of-the-new-year episode, where host Stephen Goldsmith and producer Betsy Gardner swap roles to discuss all things data, digital, governance, AI and policy-making from 2024. Listen to Pr. Goldsmith's reflections on the last twelve months and predictions on 2025, with a bonus lightening round of questions!  References include Data-Smart City Pod Episode 67 , Episode 65 , and Episode 6...

In this episode host Stephen Goldsmith and CIO Santi Garces discuss the potential to revolutionize urban governance with generative AI. Garces, the chief information officer for the city of Boston, joins Pr. Goldsmith to talk about the transformative power of GenAI in urban governance. In the first episode of this recurring conversation, they share how GenAI is already revolutionizing the way citi...

In this episode, host Stephen Goldsmith speaks with Dr. Heiko Aydt, head of the Digital Twin Lab at the Singapore-ETH Centre . They discuss how digital twins are transforming urban climate research and policy, with insights drawn from the groundbreaking Cooling Singapore project . Dr. Aydt explains the development of the Digital Urban Climate Twin, strategies for testing policy implications throug...

In this episode host Stephen Goldsmith talks with Grace Robiou, director of the EPA’s Office of Children's Health Protection. They discuss how local governments can leverage EPA resources to prioritize children's health in environmental policies. Robiou highlights the unique vulnerabilities children face from environmental hazards, the importance of localized engagement, and the tools available to...

In this episode, host Stephen Goldsmith speaks with Forrest Claypool, public servant and former chief of staff to Mayor Richard Daley, about his career in Chicago's public sector and his new book, "The Daley Show." Claypool reflects on his experiences leading key city departments and shares insights on leadership, managing cross-departmental teams, and using data for effective governance. He also...

In this episode, host Stephen Goldsmith speaks with Dr. Kelly Turner, Associate Professor of Urban Planning and Geography at UCLA and Associate Director of the Luskin Center for Innovation. Dr. Turner delves into the concept of "shade infrastructure," exploring how cities can effectively use shade from both natural and built features to combat extreme heat. She highlights innovative approaches to...

In this episode, host Stephen Goldsmith speaks with Dr. Lindsey Burghardt, MD, MPH, FAAP, Chief Science Officer at the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University. Dr. Burghardt discusses the critical intersection of urban heat, health, and equity, particularly focusing on how extreme heat affects prenatal and early childhood development. She emphasizes the importance of place-based decis...

In this episode, host Stephen Goldsmith interviews Anika-Aduesa Smart, the director of GIS at LA Metro. Smart shares her path to this work and how her extensive experience informs her people-first approach - and her mantra "good data, better technology, best practices." She advocates for empowering employees and democratizing access to GIS tools while making a strong case for geo-spatial business...

In this episode, host Stephen Goldsmith interviews Detroit's Chief Strategy Officer Trisha Stein, who discusses her efforts in urban sustainability, highlighting Detroit's initiatives to combat the effects of climate change, promote clean and safe mobility, and foster community collaboration and leadership. Stein shares insights for city leaders aiming to create resilient and sustainable urban env...

In this episode, host Stephen Goldsmith interviews Kate Robb, discussing her groundbreaking research on how city governments can use data to improve public health. By examining the intersection of housing conditions and health outcomes, Robb shares her work in Chelsea, MA ( Substandard Housing and the Risk of COVID-19 ), and Buffalo, NY ( Tackling Persistent, Boundary-Spanning Problems Through Col...

In this episode, host Stephen Goldsmith interviews Michael Ogletree, division director of Air Pollution Control for the state of Colorado. Ogletree shares his insights from leading one of the most significant urban air quality programs in the US, the Denver Love My Air program, which aimed to reduce asthma rates in public school children through the use of low-cost air quality sensors. He provides...

In this episode host Stephen Goldsmith interviews Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards, exploring her strategies for embedding equity into every aspect of municipal operations. Mayor Woodards explains how to use data, mapping, and community engagement to not just talk about equity but actively implement it. She also highlights the Tacoma Equity Index, which is a pivotal tool for identifying and addressi...

In this episode host Stephen Goldsmith interviews Alan Clinton, the administrative planning officer for the county of Kaua'i, about  the county's Sea Level Rise Constraint District Viewer, an award-winning data visualization for protecting and preserving the island coastline. They discuss the importance of a proactive response to chronic erosion and rising sea levels, and how to integrate cutting-...

In this episode host Stephen Goldsmith interviews Jacqueline Lu, co-founder of Helpful Places, exploring her journey from public service to spearheading innovative digital privacy initiatives. Lu discusses the challenges and opportunities of deploying digital infrastructure in public spaces, emphasizing the importance of building trust and transparency. They delve into the Digital Trust for Places...

In this episode, Stephen Goldsmith interviews Tucson's Chief Equity Officer Laurice Walker and Equity Data Manager Laura Sharp about using data and mapping to reshape city policies and services to prioritize equity, and how to lay the groundwork for lasting transformation. They discuss the city's equity framework the Tucson Equity Data Strategy and why it's important to leverage multiple types of...

In this episode, Stephen Goldsmith interviews Brad Keywell, entrepreneur and co-founder of Groupon, about the importance of time. They discuss how urgency, efficiency, and trust are crucial in maximizing outcomes and resident satisfaction, highlighting the need for leaders to prioritize decisive action and leverage technology to optimize processes. They also explore practical strategies for instil...

In this episode, Stephen Goldsmith interviews Carin Clary, the director of Homelessness and Housing at Harvard's Government Performance Lab. They discuss the challenges faced by cities in addressing homelessness, the crucial role of data in guiding effective interventions, and innovative approaches to reshaping homeless response systems for lasting impact. Clary offers valuable insights into data-...

In this episode Stephen Goldsmith talks with Jorrit de Jong, director of the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University, about his new research on the crucial role of collaborative capabilities, data analytics, and innovation in addressing complex urban challenges. They discuss the three key principles outlined in de Jong's article State Capabilities for Problem-Oriented Governance and acco...

At a recent event held at the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University host Professor Stephen Goldsmith interviewed Chao Guo, professor of nonprofit management at the University of Pennsylvania and G.T. Bynum, mayor of Tulsa, Oklahoma. They discussed how city leaders can work across sectoral boundaries to improve social outcomes for residents. Professor Guo presented scholarly research on...

In this episode host Professor Stephen Goldsmith interviews Jennifer Pahlka, former Deputy Chief Technology Officer for President Obama and founder of Code for America. They discuss Jennifer's new book, "Recoding America," which focuses on how to approach big and small projects in the digital age, the challenges of government technology, and the need for a reevaluation of how we think about and in...

At a recent event held at Harvard University Victoria Brown, at the time serving as the Deputy Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, spoke to chiefs of staff and deputy mayors of 30 large US cities, and we're releasing the audio of that speech with a bonus question and answer session. Listen to Brown discuss the critical role of city staff in addressing housing ch...

In this episode host Professor Stephen Goldsmith talks with the Chief Heat Officer for the city of Los Angeles, Marta Segura, about her background as an environmental justice advocate and the city's response to extreme heat as a primary climate hazard. The conversation covers the use of mapping to address health disparities, prioritizing climate-resilient infrastructure investments, and how she fo...