A resident-involved city stimulates a culture of civic literacy and involvement to get and keep the community meaningfully engaged. Results (and the plans for achieving them) are co-produced with city residents, such that the policies, practices and service delivery are shaped both for and by the people who use and need them. Involvement includes harder-to-engage and underrepresented populations—such as youth, low-income residents, people of color and recent immigrants—who have a shared interest in solving their city’s most complex problems. Through deliberate strategy, consistent outreach, effective engagement and multiple means of taking input, resident-involved cities produce a better quality of life for their most vulnerable populations by giving them a voice in the government decision-making process.
2017 Equipt Report: Becoming a High-Performing City, A Benchmark Study
The comprehensive findings from the inaugural Equipt to Innovate survey.
Opening the Data Vault
How Grand Rapids is sharing information to boost transparency and solve city problems
A Brand-New Honor Roll
The latest top performers from Equipt to Innovate made strides in addressing racial disparities and engaging residents.
2019 Equipt Report: Governing & Living Cities Announce High-Performing Cities From the Third Equipt To Innovate Survey
Top-ranking cities featured at Governing’s annual Summit on Government Performance and Innovation.
Ensuring Resident Needs Don't Get Lost in Translation
Cities can use language access plans to ensure they reach everyone in their communities.
Making Housing Affordable to All
Fifty years after the Fair Housing Act, residents are still key to solving housing issues.
Getting Innovation Off the Ground
How a single step forward can start cities down the path of becoming equipt.
City Halls Are Increasingly Innovative AND Trustworthy
Local governments are investment-worthy because of their position in solving some of our toughest social problems. They’re also more trustworthy than in the past.
Governing & Living Cities Announce High-Performing Cities from Second Annual Equipt Survey
Top-ranking cities featured at Governing’s annual Summit on Government Performance and Innovation
2018 Equipt Report: Cities Make Progress, Face Continuing Challenges in Governing
A growing number of cities are performing well in the essentials of fiscal responsibility, racial equity, resident engagement and evidence-based policymaking.
Building Equity in Infrastructure
How cities can improve transportation systems to benefit all residents.
The Need for Local News
Despite changing habits, communities should still foster residents’ desires to connect and contribute.
State and Local Leaders are Setting an Agenda for the Country’s Biggest Challenges
To overcome hurdles, leaders need a solid framework to help implement successful policies and the right mix of collaboration and innovation.
Capturing City Stories
A snapshot of the benchmark survey results from the inaugural Equipt to Innovate survey.
New Study Identifies the Best Cities for Good Government
The first of a now annual report details what cities are doing well and where they could improve.
Terica Black Bashir
Project Manager for the Mayor’s Office of Innovation Delivery & Performance, City of Atlanta
Resident-Involved: The Parliamentarian from Estonia
Governing with a human-centered consciousness provides extra reach to populations that have been historically under-represented or marginalized.
Prioritizing Mom and Pop
Cities that support local businesses can boost community engagement and the economy.
Innovation Does Not Take Place in Just One Place
Working with Living Cities, Governing has identified a set of seven elements that constitute a framework for fostering the innovation cities need.
The Innovation Equation
Working with Living Cities, Governing has identified a set of seven elements that constitute a framework for fostering the innovation cities need.