Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Data-Smart City Solutions @datasmartcities.bsky.social · 2d

Today is #WorldFoodDay, so take a listen to our newest pod with Dr. Bleich, What Mayors Need to Know About SNAP, to hear how local leaders can help minimize harm from historic budget cuts and stricter work requirements.
https://datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/news/2025/10/what-mayors-need-know-about-snap

What Mayors Need to Know About SNAP | Data-Smart City Solutions

In this episode, host Stephen Goldsmith speaks with Dr. Sara Naomi Bleich, professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and former USDA Director of Nutrition Security and Health Equity. Dr. Bleich breaks down major recent changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)—…

datasmart.hks.harvard.edu

Data-Smart City Solutions @datasmartcities.bsky.social · 2d

The @cityoftucson.bsky.social's Office of Equity is using data & GIS tools to prioritize city services where they’re needed most. See their practical lessons for other cities focused on equitable resource allocation.
#CityPlanning #Equity #DataDriven datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/tucsons-equi...

How Tucson’s Equity Experts Are Changing the Way Cities Work | Data-Smart City Solutions

Tucson is pioneering a new approach to city services by using data and an Office of Equity to ensure every neighborhood gets the support it needs, setting an example other cities can follow.

datasmart.hks.harvard.edu

Data-Smart City Solutions @datasmartcities.bsky.social · 3d

Our latest #DataSmartCityPod w/ Dr. Sara Bleich @hsph.harvard.edu is packed with insights. Check out our 1-page guide, presenting info from her ep, to learn how #mayors can support residents. And be sure to share the link & PDF version! #SNAP #PublicHealth datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/snap-2025-wh...

SNAP in 2025: What Mayors Need to Know | Data-Smart City Solutions

This companion piece to our recent podcast, What Mayors Need to Know About SNAP, presents information from the episode as an easy-to-read one-pager for mayors and other city leaders.

datasmart.hks.harvard.edu

Data-Smart City Solutions @datasmartcities.bsky.social · 3d

@goldsmithongov.bsky.social!

Data-Smart City Solutions @datasmartcities.bsky.social · 10d

We're releasing a VIP episode of the #DataSmartCityPod today:
datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/news/2025/10...
@hsph.harvard.edu professor Sara Bleich, PhD speaks with host @goldsmithongov.bsky.social about the recent changes to #SNAP, and what city leaders can do to minimize disruption and harm.

datasmart.hks.harvard.edu

Data-Smart City Solutions @datasmartcities.bsky.social · 10d

"In my experience, most of these challenges really that we confront are not really met with a paucity of data...mostly, our advice is trying to align the information with the decision-making apparatus, the policies, procedures." https://datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/charles-waldheim-future-american-city

Charles Waldheim on the Future of the American City | Data-Smart City Solutions

datasmart.hks.harvard.edu

1

Data-Smart City Solutions @datasmartcities.bsky.social · 12d

2/ Read more of @goldsmithongov.bsky.social and @boston.gov's Santiago Garce's thoughts on #StatGPT in their new piece: datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/stat-meet-ai...

Data-Smart City Solutions @datasmartcities.bsky.social · 12d

1/ "The process of stat modernization should start not with data for its own sake but with practical Qs: Who in city gov is eager to improve performance? What info would help them do so? What GenAI-powered agents & bots can assist in IDing both the Qs to ask and the answers?"

Stat, Meet AI: The Next Evolution of Performance Management | Data-Smart City Solutions

datasmart.hks.harvard.edu

Data-Smart City Solutions @datasmartcities.bsky.social · 16d

In Roanoke County, tech + trash = savings and safety!

See how County leadership utilized sensors and #GIS mapping to dramatically improve waste collection in our newest article below.
datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/how-roanoke-...

How Roanoke Turned Waste Collection into a High-Tech Success Story | Data-Smart City Solutions

Roanoke County is transforming waste collection through a high-tech system of smart sensors, slashing downtime, repair costs, and response times—while setting a new standard for efficient, responsive ...

datasmart.hks.harvard.edu

Data-Smart City Solutions @datasmartcities.bsky.social · 17d

🆕episode: #DataSmartCityPod x Future of the American City! datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/charles-wald...

@harvardkennedy.bsky.social's @goldsmithongov.bsky.social & @gsd.harvard.edu's Charles Waldheim discuss urban data, community-informed planning, & the tension btwn regeneration & gentrification.

Charles Waldheim on the Future of the American City | Data-Smart City Solutions

datasmart.hks.harvard.edu

1 2

Data-Smart City Solutions @datasmartcities.bsky.social · 23d

New article out today! See how the @cityofdetroit.bsky.social Department of Innovation and Technology transformed a fragmented tech landscape into an award-winning, centralized #GIS enterprise system that super-charges innovation.
datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/how-detroit-...

How Detroit Overhauled Citywide IT and Modernized City Services | Data-Smart City Solutions

Detroit’s extraordinary journey from municipal bankruptcy to a national model for IT innovation offers vital lessons for city leaders everywhere. Detroit’s Department of Innovation and Technology rebu...

datasmart.hks.harvard.edu

1 1

Data-Smart City Solutions @datasmartcities.bsky.social · 24d

Great session yesterday at #NYCClimateWeek!

👏👏👏to all the panelists & featured speakers for sharing their work, insights, and inspirations.

Couldn't make the event? Listen to panelist Trisha Stein, @cityofdetroit.bsky.social on the #DataSmartCityPod: datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/navigating-u...

Navigating Urban Sustainability with Chief Strategy Officer Trisha Stein | Data-Smart City Solutions

datasmart.hks.harvard.edu

Data-Smart City Solutions @datasmartcities.bsky.social · 26d

Tomorrow! Join the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability, the Environmental Defense Fund, & our Community Data Health Initiative team for a conversation on using data to safeguard community health & resilience. #ClimateWeekNYC
Livestream & in-person:
www.atkinson.cornell.edu/projects/cor...

1

Data-Smart City Solutions @datasmartcities.bsky.social · Sep 17

How can cities respond better, & smarter, to disasters? datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/how-cities-c... #DataSmartCityPod

Dr. Andrew Schroeder @directrelief.org & CrisisReady discusses the people, platforms, & data necessary to prevent & react to crises @goldsmithongov.bsky.social
#DisasterResponse

How Cities Can Use Data to Transform Disaster Response | Data-Smart City Solutions

Hear from Dr. Andrew Schroeder how cities can break down data silos and build integrated, actionable platforms to better respond to public health and environmental emergencies. Schroeder explains to h...

datasmart.hks.harvard.edu

1 3

Data-Smart City Solutions @datasmartcities.bsky.social · Sep 11

Wayne County, MI is piloting a program giving asthma patients mobile air quality monitors, helping residents track hyperlocal pollution and protect their health. #EnvironmentalJustice #Detroit #JustAir datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/wayne-county...

Wayne County Seeks Environmental Justice through Resident Empowerment | Data-Smart City Solutions

datasmart.hks.harvard.edu

Data-Smart City Solutions @datasmartcities.bsky.social · Sep 8

We have an important new report today that aims to help cities successfully engage with philanthropies and foundations amid an uncertain federal funding landscape: datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/partnership-...

Partnership Ready: What Foundations Look for in Municipal Partners | Data-Smart City Solutions

datasmart.hks.harvard.edu

1

Data-Smart City Solutions @datasmartcities.bsky.social · Sep 4

Labor Day might mark the unofficial end of summer, but that doesn't mean it's the end of high heat days. In California, residents can use the new #CalHeatScore tool to quickly check their area's heat score and stay safe during #extremeheat.
datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/new-tool-map... @governor.ca.gov

New Tool Maps Deadly Heat Risks in California | Data-Smart City Solutions

datasmart.hks.harvard.edu

Data-Smart City Solutions @datasmartcities.bsky.social · Sep 3

We're excited to share that director @goldsmithongov.bsky.social joined the Centre for Liveable Cities as a Visiting Fellow! It's always exciting for us at the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University when we get to engage with other centers for urban + civic research 💡 #ResponsiveCity

Data-Smart City Solutions @datasmartcities.bsky.social · Sep 2

Check out how new, smart construction materials are used to improve infrastructure: datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/fueling-smar...

These innovations can help reduce waste and downtime while increasing road strength and lifecycles.

Fueling Smarter Infrastructure With Innovative Materials | Data-Smart City Solutions

Cities and states need to make bold moves and embrace tech to improve infrastructure, such as roadway components that reduce costly cement needs or sensors that test surface strength.

datasmart.hks.harvard.edu

Data-Smart City Solutions @datasmartcities.bsky.social · Aug 27

New #DataSmartCityPod episode just dropped and we're bringing back fan favorite Santi Garces, @boston.gov CIO! datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/statgpt-futu...

Santi and @goldsmithongov.bsky.social discuss our recent stat and AI workshop and why "StatGPT" is the future of city #performancemanagement.

StatGPT: The Future of City Performance | Data-Smart City Solutions

datasmart.hks.harvard.edu

Data-Smart City Solutions @datasmartcities.bsky.social · Aug 26

So you want to build public health tech?

We're sharing some expert insights today from @khahlil.bsky.social, who talks #healthtech and #publicprivatepartnerships! datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/build-not-ma...

Build With, Not For: Making Public Health Tech That Actually Works | Data-Smart City Solutions

datasmart.hks.harvard.edu

Data-Smart City Solutions @datasmartcities.bsky.social · Aug 14

New article out today! Read about the citizen science work, done in conjunction with the @museumofscience.bsky.social and @boston.gov, that is mapping extreme heat in the Boston area: datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/wicked-hot-m...

Wicked Hot Mapping: Citizen Science in Boston and Beyond | Data-Smart City Solutions

datasmart.hks.harvard.edu

1 1 1

Data-Smart City Solutions @datasmartcities.bsky.social · Aug 11

Curious about how #GenAI can help residents and expand the power of #opendata? See how @octodc.bsky.social is doing this with #DCCompass, an AI-powered assistant that helps users explore and understand open data. datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/dc-redefines...

Washington, DC Redefines Open Data with GenAI | Data-Smart City Solutions

datasmart.hks.harvard.edu

2

Data-Smart City Solutions @datasmartcities.bsky.social · Aug 7

Bringing back a classic, and very relevant, episode of the #DataSmartCityPod - The Complicated Interplay: AI and Government datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/recast-compl...

Hear host @goldsmithongov.bsky.social interview @mit.edu Professor and Dean Dan Huttenlocher in this replay below!

Recast - The Complicated Interplay: AI and Government | Data-Smart City Solutions

datasmart.hks.harvard.edu

Data-Smart City Solutions @datasmartcities.bsky.social · Aug 4

Our newest article outlines how @boston.gov shook up a long-term contract and built a modular RFP that improves flexibility, data-sharing, and creativity: datasmart.hks.harvard.edu/seeking-bett...

Read below to learn how the team approached this project and what benefits they're already seeing!

Seeking Better Parking Data, Boston Breaks Up its Giant Contract | Data-Smart City Solutions

datasmart.hks.harvard.edu