Expanding Digital Access to Increase Educational Outcomes
While access to wifi and high-speed internet are often taken for granted, in Houston, more than 142,500 households do not have a computer, and over 267,000 households lack broadband internet access. These communities are often historically underinvested and present significant hurdles for residents, preventing them from harnessing the power of... Read more
Developing Environmentally Sustainable Approaches to Maintaining Roads
The Los Angeles Bureau of Street Services (StreetsLA) maintains 23,000 miles of car, bike, and pedestrian lanes per year. After power generation, paving streets is one of the leading producers of greenhouse gas in a municipality’s operations. StreetsLA is committed to finding new ways to pave roads, bike paths and... Read more
Building an Information System to Protect Renters from Displacement
Gentrification in Oakland has significantly impacted renters, who comprise 59 percent of households and pay some of the highest rents in the nation. Compounding the issue, a lack of robust data makes it difficult for policymakers to respond to unjust evictions and illegal rent increases. To address this problem, the... Read more
Implementing the Strategic Plan for a Smart, Connected City
The Los Angeles City Bureau of Street Lighting (BSL) has taken on several smart city initiatives, such as adding new technologies—Wi-Fi, EV charging stations, sensor technologies, safety cameras, and solar panels—to street lights to enhance services for residents, improve safety and sustainability, and potentially raise revenue. To support this work,... Read more
Building a Transportation System for the Future
Population growth, environmental concerns, and technological innovation are transforming how people get around in the city of St. Paul. To get ahead of these advances and ensure that the benefits of modern transportation are shared by all residents, the city’s Public Works department hired FUSE executive fellow Julie Sell. Julie... Read more
Easing Traffic Conditions for Improved Mobility and Health
In East Palo Alto, the effects of cut-through traffic, congestion, and parking have had serious consequences on the health, safety, and quality of life for residents. In search of solutions, the city hired consultants to conduct a mobility study that provides short-, mid-, and long-term recommendations addressing these issues. To... Read more
Designing a Strategy to Modernize the City’s Fleet
More than 2,000 vehicles that support the delivery of a wide range of public services fall under the purview of the City of New Orleans’ Equipment Maintenance Division (EMD). To support the agency with the management of the fleet system, FUSE executive fellow Monica Soileau worked with the EMD to... Read more
Designing an Innovative Transportation System for Groundbreaking Projects
San Jose’s 1 million-plus population is expected to grow by nearly 50 percent over the next two decades. To prepare for this dramatic growth, the Civic Innovation team in the City Manager’s Office developed its first ever city-wide Internet of Things (IoT) Strategy to build a modern digital infrastructure that... Read more
Developing Leaders to Drive Transportation Safety
With more than 40 percent of its employees eligible to retire by 2020, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) is working aggressively to attract and retain talent as new technologies are disrupting conventional transportation systems. The agency enlisted FUSE executive fellow Andrea Lipton to develop a leadership training program... Read more
Strengthening Business Relations Using Strategic Marketing and Communications
Los Angeles is working to strengthen its support for small businesses, particularly those in traditionally underserved neighborhoods, by developing better communications with business owners about available resources. The city’s Office of Finance recruited FUSE Executive Fellow Rafael Bracero to increase the visibility of support services available to small business owners... Read more