The Rise of Data-Driven Governance: Dallas Achieves Gold Certification
In a significant stride towards data-driven governance, Dallas has been awarded the Bloomberg Philanthropies What Works Cities Gold Certification. This recognition highlights the city’s commitment to utilizing data for informed policy-making, effective resource allocation, enhanced service delivery, and resident engagement.
“Dallas is honored to be recognized with the Bloomberg Philanthropies What Works Cities Gold Certification for our exceptional use of data,” stated Dallas Mayor Eric L. Johnson. “Throughout my Administration, I have prioritized data-driven decision-making, and that commitment is yielding tangible results. By investing in strong data foundations, Dallas is building a smarter city government and delivering more efficient services to our residents,” said Johnson.
Echoing this sentiment, Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert remarked, “The City of Dallas is committed to being a data-driven city, and this recognition affirms our progress in that mission. We continue to leverage data as a strategic asset to improve city services, enhance transparency, and deliver better outcomes for our residents. Artificial intelligence and advanced analytics are key components of our strategy — enabling us to make smarter business decisions, address public safety needs, and ensure that residents benefit from a more responsive, innovative city government,” said Tolbert.
Dallas is enhancing its city services and public safety through innovative applications of artificial intelligence (AI). Current initiatives include AI-assisted fire risk modeling, human trafficking detection, and code compliance automation. The city also plans to introduce AI-powered cameras and drones to monitor parks and trails, identifying flooding, debris, and disruptive behavior in real time. These efforts underline Dallas’ dedication to using data and innovation to enhance the safety and responsiveness of its neighborhoods and services.
The What Works Cities Certification, initiated by Bloomberg Philanthropies in collaboration with Results for America in 2017, sets the international benchmark for data excellence in city governance. The certification evaluates cities on 43 criteria related to data use. Cities achieving between 68% and 84% of these criteria are awarded Gold Certification. Participation is open to any city across the Americas with a population exceeding 30,000.
“The cities recognized by Bloomberg Philanthropies What Works Cities Certification exemplify what is possible when city leaders commit to data-driven governance: real results for residents,” noted Rochelle Haynes, Managing Director of Bloomberg Philanthropies What Works Cities. “By pursuing Certification or advancing to a higher level of recognition, cities are demonstrating and strengthening their dedication to using data to drive progress and deliver better outcomes. While Certified cities are investing in their data capacity to solve today’s issues, they are also building sustainable practices that set the stage for a more resilient and innovative future.”
James Anderson, who leads the Government Innovation program at Bloomberg Philanthropies, added, “The Bloomberg Philanthropies What Works Cities Certification is one of the largest-ever philanthropic efforts to improve how local governments use data to improve people’s lives. This work is helping reform-minded mayors across the Americas bring their organizations into the 21st century. Whether to stem housing shortages, reduce traffic fatalities, or improve resident service and responsiveness, city halls are tapping data, digital, and artificial intelligence to rise to the challenge – and we are thrilled to support their progress.”
For those interested in learning more about the What Works Cities Certification, detailed information can be found on the What Works Cities website.
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