Mayor Michael Nutter announced Wednesday the launches of two new tech and data programs for the city of Philadelphia.
The first is the newly redesigned open data portal, OpenDataPhilly, as part of Philadelphia's open data initiative. The community-run site is a searchable catalog that houses all of the City’s open data sets, as well as data sets from other public agencies, non-profit organizations, universities and commercial organizations throughout the region.
The redesigned portal will be maintained through a partnership between Temple University Center for Public Interest Journalism (CPIJ) and local software company Azavea.
“Since the launch of open data in Philadelphia in 2011, our City has become a leader in the national open data movement. The redesign of OpenDataPhilly will increase access to available data, thereby enabling our citizens to become more engaged and knowledgeable and our government more accountable,” Mayor Nutter said. “Our Administration is proud to be a major contributor to OpenDataPhilly.org. I want to thank our partners and the Knight Foundation for its support in this important effort.”
Nutter also announced Wednesday the implementation of Philadelphia’s new Philly 311 customer service system, a platform that includes a cloud-based community portal and improved tracking for service requests.
The new service system enables citizens to submit service requests, view city information, engage with local organizations, search educational opportunities and improve public safety city-wide by phone, the web, the app, social media or in person.
“With the new Philly 311 customer service platform, our goal is not only to create a more connected, citizen-responsive city, but also to inspire other cities to follow our model and engage their citizens,” said Mayor Nutter. “When I came into office, I made it a priority to enhance transparent and efficient government, increase integrity, build better open data practices and improve government accountability. We want to empower people and work with Philadelphians to get done the creative and sustainable solutions to quality of life and government related issues that citizens care most about.”
The Philly 311 Call Center opened in 2008. Since then it has received more than seven million calls from citizens and businesses with service requests. Requests have ranged from pothole repairs and cleaning graffiti, to removing drug paraphernalia from playgrounds and reporting abandoned vehicles.