Bloomberg Philanthropies recognized nine cities leading the trend toward better use of data in city governance practices.

"Bloomberg Philanthropies announced the inaugural group of cities to achieve the What Works Cities certification, a designation which recognizes how cities incorporate data and evidence into governance," reports Kristin Musulin. In all, nine cities earned some level of certification.
"Los Angeles became the first city to earn a gold-level certification due to its "impressive track record" with data-driven initiatives," adds Musulin. "Boston, San Diego, San Francisco, Washington, New Orleans, Seattle, Louisville, KY and Kansas City, MO earned silver-level certification."
The announcement of the certifications comes just a few weeks after Bloomberg Philanthropies announced that enrollment in What Works Cities had reached 100 participants.
FULL STORY: Los Angeles earns first gold-level What Works Cities data certification

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Waymo Gets Permission to Map SF’s Market Street
If allowed to operate on the traffic-restricted street, Waymo’s autonomous taxis would have a leg up over ride-hailing competitors — and counter the city’s efforts to grow bike and pedestrian on the thoroughfare.

Parklet Symposium Highlights the Success of Shared Spaces
Parklets got a boost during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the concept was translated to outdoor dining programs that offered restaurants a lifeline during the shutdown.

Federal Homelessness Agency Places Entire Staff on Leave
The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness is the only federal agency dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness.
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