Bloomberg Philanthropies’ what Works Cities initiative was first launched in 2015 to help enhance the use of data-driven decision-making in cities. As data work has matured in the public sector, the What Works Cities program has expanded. In 2022, for example, the program expanded its scope to outside of the U.S., awarding cities in South America for data work in 2023.
The newly certified cities include five from the U.S. and seven from Latin America: Alexandria, Va.; New York City; Port St. Lucie, Fla.; Rochester, Minn.; Rock Hill, S.C.; Bogotá, Colombia; Luján de Cuyo, Argentina; Medellín, Colombia; Monterrey, Mexico; Recife, Brazil; Rionegro, Colombia; and Tres de Febrero, Argentina.
Also noteworthy is that two Arizona cities, Phoenix and Tempe, have moved up to Platinum Certification. This is the highest recognition possible within the program. New York City was also certified Platinum this year.
In addition to these cities, four other cities that were already certified achieved a higher certification level. Boston; Mesa, Ariz.; Norfolk, Va.; and San Jose, Calif., received Gold Certification.
Finally, the program re-certified four cities that previously achieved certification: Chattanooga, Tenn., and San Francisco at the Gold Certification level, and Athens-Clarke County, Ga., and Madison, Wis., at the Silver Certification level.
In the announcement, Tempe’s work as part of the Bloomberg Philanthropies City Data Alliance is underlined, as is the city’s early implementation of a policy guiding AI use.
The announcement also underlines several cities’ involvement in the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Mayors Challenge, first launched in 2013 and subsequently expanded.
With today’s announcement, 74 cities have now achieved the certification, with more than 160 cities having submitted applications since 2017.
In 2022, the program evolved to mandate that cities demonstrate that they are managing their data with equity in mind. New criteria helps ensure that data is not just driving city work, but also meeting the unique needs of all residents.
“More than 160 cities across the Americas are seeking the What Works Cities Certification seal of approval because city halls — like any other effective modern organization — must be leveraging data to make better decisions,” said James Anderson, who leads the Government Innovation programs at Bloomberg Philanthropies, in the announcement.
