Governing Magazine has a special report on "E-Governing" in their September, 2004 issue, Dealing in Data. This is certainly true, "Governments have been trying to break down the silos of data that have been built up agency by agency, government by government." But I wonder about this evaluation, which seems to be the foundation for most of the article: "There is one basic prerequisite that has to be met before any data merging can take place. Government agencies have to take the information that lives on paper and convert it into digitized form. "
Governing Magazine has a special report on "E-Governing" in their September, 2004 issue, Dealing in Data.
This is certainly true,
"Governments have been trying to break down the silos of data that have been built up agency by agency, government by government."
But I wonder about this evaluation, which seems to be the foundation for most of the article:
"There is one basic prerequisite that has to be met before any data merging can take place. Government agencies have to take the information that lives on paper and convert it into digitized form. "
While I'm sure that is true from a technical point of view, the technology itself is seldom the barrier to successful e-government efforts. The larger problem is helping the culture to understand the benefits of e-government beyond merely lip service.
In an interview with Tommy Thompson (Director of the US Department of Health and Human Services) in the September 2004 issue of Wired, Stacy Lawrence leads with a question about HHS' efforts to build an integrated medial database by glibly asking: "So, databases that can talk to each other. Very 1999."
Lawrence's funny question really cuts to the point. I think the real question is Why we want to deal in data, not How do we do it.
Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?
Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?
Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
Updating LA’s Tree Rules Could Bring More Shade to Underserved Neighborhoods
A new USC study finds that relaxing Los Angeles’ outdated tree planting guidelines could significantly expand urban tree canopy and reduce shade disparities in lower-income neighborhoods, though infrastructure investments are also needed.
California's Canal Solar Projects Aim to Conserve Resources and Expand Clean Energy
California’s Project Nexus has begun generating electricity from solar panels installed over irrigation canals, with researchers and state agencies exploring statewide expansion to conserve water and boost clean energy production.
HHS Staff Cuts Gut Energy Assistance Program
The full staff of a federal program that distributes heating and cooling assistance for low-income families was laid off, jeopardizing the program’s operations.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
City of Moreno Valley
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland
