San Francisco Putting Itself On The Map

P. Barden 

San Francisco is increasingly being referred to as a "truly smart city”, thanks in large part to the introduction of SanFran311: a revolutionary application for reporting local public concerns directly to local government offices - in real time.


The label "smart city" is still somewhat fuzzy. To some its definition rests on the development of a hyper-connected "internet of things" allowing a city to speak to itself, to others an environment driven by opportunities in ICTs to boost local business competitiveness. In the midst of ever-accelerating technological evolution it might be easy to forget to put the human at the centre of urban development. Not so for the case of San Francisco. 

SanFran311, built by the developers HeyGov!, is a sophisticated web and mobile app for citizens to submit, track, and analyse service requests in the city’s 311 non-emergency reporting system. Requests include “Illegal_dumping”, “Pavement_defect”, “Sign_defaced”, or even the very specific “Damaged_Side_Sewer_Vent_Cover”. Pictures can be uploaded at the same time to validate requests.

Reports already suggest that this system has improved community engagement and increased public collaboration, as well as shortened the time taken by the local authority to address service requests and implement updates – “even during peak times” (Forbes, April 29 2012).

The programming for the next Credemus Associates event, Put it on The Map: Smart Cities and Crowdmapping was inspired by this ground-breaking public service. We think this is a monumental game-changer, fundamentally changing the face of local government by giving city residents the ability to upload a huge range of hyper-local service requests in real time.


With SanFran311 for inspiration, we believe the smartest thing about smart cities is smart citizenship - a line of argument this event seeks to explore.

The programme will feature the following speakers:

• Dr Mike Short, President of the Institution of Engineering and Technology & Vice President of Public Affairs at Telefonica International

• Francois Gray, Director of Citizen Cyberscience Centre

• Paul Conneally, Head of Communications & Partnership Promotion at International Telecommunication Union, former Head of Media and Public Communications at International Red Cross

• Esther Gunn-Stewart, North Ayrshire Council Customer Services Manager – developer of “Report It” app

For more information about the event click HERE.

Monitoring Aid and Climate Change on a Map

Two US based organisations, AidData and Climate Change and African Political Stability (CCAPS), have launched a pilot programme developed around a dynamic mapping tool. 

The aim of this platform is to help people visualising African climate change, conflict and aid through the support of an interactive map.

This tool not only allows policymakers to analyse data on a wide and varied scale, but can also enable a deeper understanding of factors influencing aid, as well as a broader share of good practices among interested parties.

The integration of a mapping system within climate change and conflict resolution projects represents a great way to effectively present both natural and social changes that would otherwise be difficult to track.

Ashley Moran from CCPAS confirmed that although the pilot is still at its initial stage, the organisation is working to develop further applications around crowdsourcing in international development.

The greatest merit of this tool is that it increases disaster response capacity by enhancing a two way communication with citizens, who constantly input with their feedback and contributions.

Our suggestion: UK based NGOs should start looking at the potential embedded within these tools.

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