Friday, 8 November 2019

A Global First – Dubai-WCCD Local Data Hub Launched with WCCD President & CEO and TEC Secretary General

   










November 8, 2019
Dubai, UAE

First announced at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum in July 2017, the World Council on City Data (WCCD) President & CEO was in Dubai this week, alongside His Excellency Abdulla Mohammed Al Basti, Secretary General of the Executive Council of Dubai (TEC),  to launch the first of a global network of WCCD Local Data Hubs. 



From resilience to sustainability to inclusivity and prosperity, critical global agendas require local-level solutions – and these solutions must be rooted in globally comparable, standardized and independently verified data. 

In response to this challenge, the WCCD President & CEO, Dr. Patricia McCarney, launched the first WCCD Local Data Hub, alongside His Excellency Abdulla Mohammed Al Basti, Secretary General of the Executive Council of Dubai (TEC) this past Wednesday. Together with the TEC & WCCD Senior Leadership, also in attendance were senior representatives from WCCD Member Cities including, Riyadh, Madinah and Yanbu, Saudi Arabia; Amman, Jordan; and Ajman, UAE. Additionally, WCCD's longstanding partners, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) was at the event.

“It is a pleasure to be here, surrounded by colleagues from Dubai and across the region, all sharing the common belief that city data can truly act as a universal language,” stated WCCD President & CEO, Dr. Patricia McCarney earlier this week. “For the WCCD, Dubai is a city of firsts. In 2014, it served as a Foundation City of the WCCD - as one of the first twenty cities globally certified under ISO 37120.  In 2017, Dubai served as the first host of the WCCD Global Cities Summit. Now, under the leadership of His Excellency Abdulla Mohammed Al Basti, Dubai is stepping up to host the first of a global network of WCCD Local Data Hubs. It is my pleasure to be standing alongside His Excellency and to officially launch the first WCCD Local Data Hub, here in Dubai.”

Connecting cities across the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia with high calibre WCCD ISO 37120 standardized data, the new Dubai-WCCD Local Data Hub will drive city leadership on important global agendas. Through the lens of localizing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and rolling out the two new WCCD ISO standards (ISO 37122 - Indicators for Smart Cities & ISO 37123 – Indicators for Resilient Cities), the Hub will also serve as a nexus for cities in the region to discuss, and act on, these critical global agendas. An additional focus will include leveraging WCCD ISO-certified data to drive public and private sector infrastructure investment. Working through this ambitious agenda will help to create cities – region-wide – that are truly smart, sustainable and resilient.

The leadership of the Executive Council of Dubai, the WCCD, and partners from around the region and globally assemble to launch the Dubai-WCCD Local Data Hub.

The Secretary General of the Executive Council of Dubai (TEC), His Excellency Abdulla Mohammed Al Basti, emphasized that the Local Data Hub is a testament to Dubai’s pioneering position in the sustainability space. “Today cities are the centre of economic growth, innovation, and social well-being. Cities accommodate more than 55% of the planet’s population and contribute more than 80% of the global GDP [...] Stemming from Dubai’s pioneering global position as an innovator, the Government adopted a strategic planning methodology underpinned by data for its decision-making policy. Claiming the prestigious ISO 37120 certification was a testament to that – making Dubai one of the first cities in the world to receive this certification. Today, and in partnership with WCCD, Dubai continues to be a key player with the launch of the Dubai-WCCD Local Data Hub.” 

From L to R: Representatives from Riyadh, the WCCD, Dubai, Yanbu, Amman and Madinah 
Bringing together a group of cities from across the Region, the Dubai-WCCD Local Data Hub is underscored by four critical pillars: showcasing leadership, demonstrating results, catalyzing action and enabling city-to-city Learning. “Dubai’s commitment to creating a more sustainable, resilient, and prosperous future for its citizens is well known worldwide,” continued Dr. McCarney. “The opening of the Dubai-WCCD Local Data Hub underscores an additional commitment to these principles by acting as a leading city in the region, and globally.”

For more information, please contact: 

James Patava
james.patava@globalcities.ca 

Thursday, 8 August 2019

Canada's Annapolis Valley has been certified as the world’s first “Smart and Sustainable Rural Region” under ISO 37120.

   
The Annapolis Valley (in Nova Scotia, Canada) has been certified as the world’s first “Smart and Sustainable Rural Region” by the World Council on City Data, under ISO 37120. The Annapolis Valley received Gold Certification level, which puts it in the top ranks of cities across the globe.

“This recognition will help to position the Annapolis Valley as a smart, sustainable, prosperous and inclusive community,” said WCCD President & CEO, Dr. Patricia McCarney.  “Through high-calibre, standardized and independently verified data, the Annapolis Valley joins the WCCD’s Global Network of communities, all united by high-calibre, standardized and independently verified data. In addition, to help improve citizen quality of life, this data will also become attractive for investors from around the world.”

“A new day has dawned for Sustainable and Smart Communities – and has begun here, in Nova Scotia, said i-Valley President Terry Dalton. For the first time, a region has been certified that is made up of many communities, large and small, spread across a rural region.  The Annapolis Valley has made a statement not only for itself but for all of the rural communities around the world that can now follow this example.”

Peter Muttart, Mayor of the Municipality of Kings, noted  “ISO certification will be a testament to the world that the Annapolis Valley has made a commitment to those here and to those who may wish to come that we are a progressive educational and economic region. Progress cannot be interrupted by municipal boundaries. We are well-advised to position ourselves as globally comparable to the best through this standardized ISO measurement, enhancing and telegraphing our competitive position to future investors from all regions of the world.”

The certification project was supported by the Valley Regional Enterprise Network, whose Chair, David Ritcey, stated that “Data gathered across major themes like education, finance and the economy, will help our organization, local industry, municipal governments and others create greater prosperity for our region.  It will benchmark areas for improvement that will be needed to support collective growth in the Valley.  We look forward to having a ‘benefits’ meeting for all stakeholders later in the year.”

“The certification process took almost two years,” commented Mr. Dalton.  “The measurements and data were spread across many jurisdictional levels. Now that we have done it, it will be easier to keep going, and valuable as a measurement of progress and a way to promote inter-regional cooperation.  We are indebted to all the CAOS and Mayors in our communities who worked hard on this. I also wish to acknowledge the skilled work of our Principal Researcher, Amin Helal.”

The Annapolis Valley is approximately twice the size of an average English County, extending a length of 125 km.  Two mountainous ridges produce a "micro-climate" which provides relatively mild temperatures for the region and, coupled with the fertile glacial sedimentary soils on the valley floor, makes the region conducive to growing vegetable and fruit. 

“The certification process took almost two years,” commented Mr. Dalton.  “The measurements and data were spread across many jurisdictional levels. Now that we have done it, it will be easier to keep going, and valuable as a measurement of progress and a way to promote inter-regional cooperation.  We are indebted to all the CAOS and Mayors in our communities who worked hard on this. I also wish to acknowledge the skilled work of our Principal Researcher, Amin Helal.”

Friday, 26 July 2019

Government of Canada and WCCD launch Data for Canadian Cities Pilot Project

   
For Immediate Release
July 26, 2019
Toronto, Canada

 Today, speaking at the World Council on City Data (WCCD) offices in Toronto, Member of the Canadian Parliament Adam Vaughan announced the “Data for Canadian Cities Pilot Project.” Alongside WCCD President & CEO, Dr. Patricia McCarney, Mr. Vaughan detailed how this new, three-year initiative will support the WCCD to work with fifteen municipalities across Canada.

“It’s a pleasure to be here on behalf of Canada’s Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne,” stated Mr. Vaughan. “Today, we mark another important step in giving communities across the country the tools they need to build a better Canada. The Data for Canadian Cities Pilot Project will enable the WCCD to work with 15 municipalities across Canada to help collect a globally standardized data set that measures the quality of life and delivery of city services at the municipal level. ”
Adam Vaughan MP, and Patricia McCarney, WCCD President & CEO at the launch of the Data for Canadian Cities Pilot Project. 
“While the WCCD is a truly global organization, our roots are here in Canada. It is our hope that this Initiative will benefit Canadians across the country, and also serve as a global demonstration of Canada’s commitment to data-driven, evidence-based, decision making,” said Dr. McCarney. “Working with Canadian municipalities, and all levels of government across Canada – the WCCD will continue to work nationally – and globally – to help create the smart, sustainable, resilient, prosperous and inclusive cities and communities of the future. We look forward to working with Minister Champagne, the Government of Canada and municipalities across the country.”

 The WCCD is already working with 100 cities across 38 countries, including fifteen Canadian cities. This new cohort of 15 cities will join a group of cities across the country who have embraced ISO 37120 – the first international standard on city data - and have been essential in building this high calibre, globally comparable and independently verified city-level data. This Initiative with the Department of Infrastructure and Communities - and the doubling of the number of Canadian cities within the WCCD global network - showcases Canada as leading globally in demonstrating an unparalleled dedication to building a culture of data and making Canadian cities and communities even more robust, liveable and prosperous.

 For more information, please contact:


James Patava
Vice President
World Council on City Data
416-966-2368
james.patava@globalcities.ca

Friday, 19 July 2019

WCCD & OECD Launch New Partnership in New York - Supporting Smart, Sustainable and Resilient Cities Worldwide

   

July 19, 2019
New York, New York

On July 18th, at the Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations, the WCCD President and CEO, Dr. Patricia McCarney, and the OECD Deputy Secretary-General, Mr. Masamichi Kono launched a new partnership between the two organizations. The event was hosted by Ambassador Louise Blais, Deputy Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations with special responsibility for Agenda 2030 and Development.

From L to R: Ms. Catherine Adam, Senior ADM, Employment and Social Development Canada, Head of Canadian Delegation; Dr. Patricia McCarney, WCCD President &CEO; Mr. Masamichi Kono, Deputy Secretary-General of the OECD

This WCCD-OECD partnership is born out of a shared recognition of the importance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) but moreover, a very critical recognition of the need to effectively localize the Goals if the targets are to be achieved by 2030.  The success of each of the 17 SDGs rests with cities and regions where these goals and targets are truly being operationalized. City leaders, city planners, city designers, developers, city budget chiefs, mayors and citizens alike are on the front line of sustainability agendas and are operationalizing these goals “on the street” each and every day. Cities are leading – both in localizing the goals and in operationalizing them.

According to Mr. Kono: “Partnerships are key to deliver on the SDGs. This is particularly important for measuring progress, where several institutions are already working and developing indicators for SDGs. This is why we decided to join forces with the World Council on City Data, to better support cities - in OECD countries and beyond – to monitor progress on SDGs, to use data as a tool for policy dialogue and, ultimately, to improve their policies.”

The central need for high calibre and globally comparable data to measure progress on the SDGs and drive informed investment and policy to ensure the 2030 Agenda is within reach is a shared vision of the WCCD and OECD and a core value in this new partnership announced today in New York.  City and regional-level data to drive this progress is the starting point for the concrete next steps for which the partners are planning. With just ten years to reach the SDG targets, partnerships like this one, designed to support localizing and operationalizing the SDGs in cities, are vital to success.  

“From SDG localization, to driving public and private investment in cities worldwide, the WCCD-OECD partnership is truly a win-win,” stated Dr. McCarney. “ While our partnership initially focuses on the 2030 Agenda to localize and operationalize the SDGs in city halls across the world, it is even more ambitious. This WCCD-OECD partnership will be based on the centrality and importance of high-calibre, globally comparable and harmonised city-level data to support smart, sustainable and resilient city development worldwide.” 


From L to R: Ms. Catherine Adam, Senior ADM, Employment and Social Development Canada, Head of Canadian Delegation; Dr. Patricia McCarney, WCCD President &CEO; Ambassador Louise Blais, Deputy Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations with special responsibility for Agenda 2030 and Development

The WCCD-OECD partnership event also served as an opportunity to launch the City of Los Angeles’ “Voluntary Local Review.” Since 2014, the WCCD has been proud to count the City of Los Angeles as a  Foundation City of the WCCD  Earlier in 2018, the WCCD released it’s publication: “WCCD City Data for the Sustainable Development Goals 2018” with LA Deputy Mayor Miguel Sangalang. Los Angeles is a city that has truly embraced a culture of data and achieved the highest level of the WCCD ISO 37120 Cerficiation – Platinum and continues to embrace data as an essential element in its leadership.

For more information:

Please contact

James Patava
James.patava@globalcities.ca

Wednesday, 10 July 2019

#DATAFORCITIES - Celebrating Kópavogur, Iceland

   
#DATAFORCITIES  is a bi-weekly publication of the WCCD that highlights a data point from each of the WCCD Cities – and, more importantly, shows how each city is harnessing standardized data to build the sustainable, prosperous, smart, resilient and inclusive cities of tomorrow.

Follow the WCCD across all of our social media channels to learn more about each city profiled! 

Every week a WCCD City will be profiled with a short, 3-page snapshot and promoted throughout the week with innovative visualizations across Twitter (#dataforcities),
Facebook and LinkedIn. 

A fully downloadable and shareable PDF of this profile can be found here. 

Previous reports can be found in the News and Updates section of the WCCD website.



Thursday, 27 June 2019

WCCD officially welcomes first Icelandic ISO 37120 certified city

   
While in Iceland for meetings with representatives of both local governments and national stakeholders, the World Council on City Data (WCCD) President and CEO, Dr. Patricia McCarney, officially welcomed the Icelandic city of Kópavogur to the WCCD’s growing global network. Kópavogur is the first city in Iceland to become ISO 37120 certified, and the City achieved this certification at the highest possible, Platinum, level by reporting 97 of the 100 indicators within the Standard. 
Mayor of Kópavogur, Ármann Ólafsson and WCCD President & CEO, Dr. Patricia McCarney
Credit: Kópavogur City

Speaking at the certification ceremony at the Kópavogur Art Museum, Dr. McCarney presented the City’s WCCD ISO 37120 Platinum Certification to Mayor Ármann Ólafsson.  “On behalf of the WCCD, I would like to congratulate Mayor Ólafsson, City Council and city staff for their dedication to open, standardized and comparable city data. This standardized data will help to increase the quality of life for all citizens while driving evidence-based decision making and data-driven solutions,” stated Dr. McCarney.  “The City of Kópavogur stands out globally as a leader in working to create a more smart, sustainable, resilient, inclusive and prosperous future for its residents.” 

 According to Mayor Ólafsson: “Kópavogur is extremely proud to be a part of the WCCD global network, alongside cities committed to working with high calibre data. In recent years, Kópavogur has worked to systematically improve the measurement of the City‘s operations. Monitoring the results of our city’s policies and objectives will lead to improved transparency and effective processes.”

 Kópavogur is using key ISO 37120 indicators to benchmark and monitor the City’s performance on the global stage, in addition to its year-over-year progress against internal goals. Data reported by the City in accordance with ISO 37120 will also be useful for measuring Kópavogur’s progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals – a key priority for the City. (Read More: WCCD City Data for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals – Kópavogur 2019). 

 While setting a global example in the high calibre of its data, Kópavogur specifically excels on a number of ISO 37120 indicators. For example, 100% of the city‘s total energy is derived from renewable sources such as hydroelectric power and geothermal energy. Additionally, Kópavogur is at the forefront of economic development and prosperity by supporting employment within the city, evident in their low unemployment rate of 2.16%. The City has also committed to becoming one of the WCCD‘s “Early Adopters“ of ISO 37122 – Indicators for Smart Cities. 

 As a global leader in standardized data, the WCCD hosts a network of cities around the world who are committed to high-calibre data. The WCCD is now working with 100 cities across 38 countries. In addition to certifying cities against ISO 37120 – the first international standard for city indicators – the WCCD is inviting cities from around the world to become certified under ISO 37122 (Indicators for Smart Cities) and ISO 37123 (Indicators for Resilient Cities). For more information, please visit www.dataforcities.org, or contact info@dataforcities.org 

Tuesday, 19 March 2019

#DataForIndianCities - Celebrating Pune, India

   
#DataForIndianCities is a special publication of the WCCD, in support of the Tata Trusts/WCCD "Data for Indian Cities Initiative." Each 3-page report highlights a data point from each of the WCCD, ISO 37120 certified Indian Cities – and, more importantly, shows how each city is harnessing standardized data to build the sustainable, prosperous, smart, resilient and inclusive cities of tomorrow.

Follow the WCCD across all of our social media channels to learn more about each city profiled! 

Every week a WCCD City will be profiled with a short, 3-page snapshot and promoted throughout the week with innovative visualizations across Twitter (#dataforcities),
Facebook and LinkedIn. 

A fully downloadable and shareable PDF of this profile can be found here. 

Previous reports can be found in the News and Updates section of the WCCD website.

Thursday, 14 March 2019

#DATAFORCITIES - Celebrating Oakville, Canada

   
#DATAFORCITIES  is a bi-weekly publication of the WCCD that highlights a data point from each of the WCCD Cities – and, more importantly, shows how each city is harnessing standardized data to build the sustainable, prosperous, smart, resilient and inclusive cities of tomorrow.

Follow the WCCD across all of our social media channels to learn more about each city profiled! 

Every week a WCCD City will be profiled with a short, 3-page snapshot and promoted throughout the week with innovative visualizations across Twitter (#dataforcities),
Facebook and LinkedIn. 

A fully downloadable and shareable PDF of this profile can be found here. 

Previous reports can be found in the News and Updates section of the WCCD website.



Wednesday, 27 February 2019

#DATAFORCITIES - Celebrating Brisbane, Australia

   
#DATAFORCITIES  is a bi-weekly publication of the WCCD that highlights a data point from each of the WCCD Cities – and, more importantly, shows how each city is harnessing standardized data to build the sustainable, prosperous, smart, resilient and inclusive cities of tomorrow.

 Follow the WCCD across all of our social media channels to learn more about each city profiled! 

Every week a WCCD City will be profiled with a short, 3-page snapshot and promoted throughout the week with innovative visualizations across Twitter (#dataforcities),
Facebook and LinkedIn. 

A fully downloadable and shareable PDF of this profile can be found here. 

Previous reports can be found in the News and Updates section of the WCCD website.







Thursday, 24 January 2019

Canadian-based WCCD Launches the Report “WCCD City Data for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals - 2018” in Los Angeles with Mayor Eric Garcetti and Deputy Mayor Miguel Sangalang

   
Last week, WCCD President and CEO, Dr. Patricia McCarney, was in Los Angeles for the first in a series of planned launches of the 2018 edition of WCCD City Data for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. First published in 2017, this comprehensive Report has become a global, go-to resource focusing on localization of the global goals to support cities in moving towards a more sustainable planet by 2030.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE REPORT
“For the WCCD, it is particularly fitting to launch the 2018 edition of WCCD City Data for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals alongside Mayor Eric Garcetti and Deputy Mayor Miguel Sangalang in Los Angeles. A growing cluster of data-driven and connected WCCD ISO 37120 certified cities are emerging up and down the west coast of North America – and Los Angeles is at the centre of this corridor of connected cities that span Canada, the United States and Mexico. From Surrey, British Columbia to Guadalajara, Mexico, ISO 37120 is not only helping cities to localize the SDGs but is also creating opportunities for trade and investment across cities,” stated Dr. McCarney. In February 2018, Mayor Garcetti and Dr. McCarney signed an MOU towards the establishment of the Los Angeles-WCCD Local Data Hub. A vital aspect of this work will focus on SDG localization, but is also an opportunity for cities to connect and have data driven conversations on common issues like prosperity, infrastructure,  inclusivity and trade through standardised city data. 
According to Mayor Garcetti: "Los Angeles is proud to be a leader in building a healthier, more prosperous world because today’s decisions will shape tomorrow for our children and grandchildren…By giving cities a set of universal metrics to measure their progress toward meeting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, the WCCD’s [2018] report will encourage the collaboration and data-driven solutions that cities need to create a better future for their residents.”
Dr. McCarney and Mayor Garcetti sign the MOU towards establishing the
Los Angeles – WCCD Local Data Hub in 2018.
The first edition of this Report was launched at the UN Headquarters in New York in July 2017 during the WCCD Thematic Session on Data for the SDGs, hosted by the Executive Office of the United Nations Secretary-General. Since 2014, the Toronto-based WCCD has been working globally to help cities to report comparable, open and independently verified city data, certified against ISO 37120 – the first international standard for cities. WCCD City Data for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals maps ISO 37120 to the targets of the SDGs, allowing cities to embrace the Global Goals at a local level, and to measure progress against them.
Dr. McCarney presents Los Angeles Deputy Mayor Miguel Sangalang with a copy of
WCCD City Data for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2018.

LA Deputy Mayor Miguel Sangalang underlined the importance of the WCCD global network for achieving measurable change in cities, with a call to action for other cities to join the global network. “Los Angeles joined the WCCD as a Foundation City because we immediately saw the value in having an honest, comparable account of how LA stacks up against our global peers through the first-ever global standard for city indicators. This information enables us to better plan for and mitigate risks and will only become more powerful as cities across the world join.” The launch event in Los Angeles marks the first in a series of planned, global launches of the 2018 edition of WCCD City Data for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
 Los Angeles first joined the WCCD global network in 2015 and is certified at the Platinum level. In addition to its status as a WCCD Foundation City (one of the first cities certified globally under ISO 37120), Los Angeles (alongside WCCD Foundation City Buenos Aires) was profiled in the 2017 publication, “The Citywide Benefits of Smart & Connected Public Lighting - Assessed through WCCD ISO 37120 Data,” jointly prepared with WCCD Foundation Partner, Signify (previously Philips Lighting).
For more information, please contact:
James Patava                                                      

James.patava@globalcities.ca