Showing posts with label #DATAFORCITIES. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #DATAFORCITIES. Show all posts

Tuesday, 3 March 2020

WCCD Brings Together Cities of the MENA Region To Discuss Their Commitment to the Dubai-WCCD Local Data Hub, and City Data as a Universal Language

   
From L to R: Mohammad Jaljouli (Dubai), Sanjaya Bhatia (UNDRR), Mohammed Aseeri (Medina), Hajar Seed (Ajman), Patricia McCarney (WCCD), Shumous Bin Faris Al Sebaia (Dubai), Akram Khasrit (Amman), James Patava (WCCD)
Following the successful launch of the Dubai-WCCD Local Data Hub in November 2019, a group of data-driven cities from across the Middle East – including Dubai (UAE), Medina (Saudia Arabia), Amman (Jordan), and Ajman (UAE) - alongside long-standing WCCD Partner, UNDRR came together for a side event at the UN World Urban Forum. With a decided focus on the importance of city data in creating smarter, more resilient, sustainable and inclusive cities, the group spoke at length on how WCCD’s ISO 37120 Series of Standards is helping to transform how they look at their cities both internally, and compared to the 100 WCCD member cities, across 39 countries. Click here for more photos of the event on the WCCD's Facebook page. 

Click below for a short video highlighting the event! 


Monday, 2 March 2020

Guelph Obtains WCCD’s ISO 37120 Certification at The Highest, Platinum Level

   

From L to R: WCCD VP James Patava, Guelph CAO Scott Stewart, WCCD CEO Patricia McCarney, City of Guelph Staff Tanya Baker, Jennifer Smith, Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie, City of Guelph Staff Jodi Sales & Stewart McDonough

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Friday, March 2nd, 2010
City of Guelph, Ontario, Canada

Today, the World Council on City Data (WCCD) Senior Leadership was in Guelph, Canada to present Guelph’s City Council and administration with WCCD ISO 37120 Platinum certification. This occasion sees Guelph join a rapidly growing global network of 100 cities worldwide, including almost thirty Canadian cities.

 “For the WCCD, welcoming Guelph to our Canadian and global network underscores the City’s commitment to harnessing standardized, globally comparable and independently verified city data,” stated WCCD President and CEO, Dr. Patricia McCarney. “This certification emphasizes Guelph’s commitment to prioritizing data-driven decision making. It also reaffirms the City’s commitment to its citizens to make the best possible decisions to create a sustainable future for the community, while improving citizen services and quality of life. Congratulations Guelph! You have worked hard to receive this prestigious and highest level of certification.”

Guelph’s capacity for innovation and commitment to developing a vibrant and inclusive democracy is reflected in its reporting against 102 of ISO 37120’s 104 indicators, resulting in the highest possible level of certification. Guelph is positioned to continue delivering high-quality services to a growing population while maintaining a high quality of life.

“Receiving the Platinum certification confirms that we have the data and insights needed to make informed decisions for our community,” says Cam Guthrie, City of Guelph Mayor. “This is a moment to celebrate our commitment to open governance as we plan for Guelph’s future.”

 “The City has been working for the past few years to ensure we work in the open, to make public data available to the community, to make evidence-based decisions,” Scott Stewart, City of Guelph Chief Administrative Officer. “On behalf of the City, I’d like to thank our employees and community partners who worked collaboratively towards this certification, and the WCCD for creating a benchmark against which we can measure our process towards becoming future-ready.”

About the World Council on City Data 

The WCCD is the world’s leading expert in standardized, globally comparable, and independently verified, and usable city-data. Reporting on the WCCD’s “Made-in-Canada” ISO 37120 standard enables cities to harness data to become smarter, more sustainable, resilient, prosperous and inclusive. WCCD ISO 37120 certification allows cities to benchmark and share insights with other cities in Canada and globally across 19 themes and 104 indicators, focusing on city services and quality of life, spanning transportation to wastewater, and urban planning to finance.

For more information, please contact:

James Patava
VP Public Affairs, WCCD
James.patava@globalcities.ca

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 

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.



Friday, 14 December 2018

#DATAFORCITIES - Celebrating Cambridge, 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.

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),

Follow the WCCD across all of our social media channels to learn more about each city! A fully downloadable and shareable PDF of the profile can be found here. 

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


https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sv3OIPO0iXiiuqGgSOZ7gYLOWoRN6OY2/view?usp=sharing

Wednesday, 12 December 2018

WCCD certifies the Canadian City of Mississauga at the WCCD ISO 37120 Platinum Level

   
For Immediate Release
December 12, 2018

This morning, the WCCD President and CEO, Dr. Patricia McCarney, addressed Mississauga City Council and Mayor Bonnie Crombie, congratulating them on their WCCD ISO 37120 Platinum Certification. Joining a group of over 60 data-driven cities from around the world, Mississauga also joins a rapidly growing group of ISO 37120 certified cities in Canada.

 (Read more: Mississauga Joins Global Network of Data-Driven Cities - City of Mississauga Press Release)

(L to R): Andrew Whittemore, Commissioner Planning & Building; Harold Dremin, Manager, Business Investment and Sector Development; Janice Baker, City Manager and Chief Administrative Officer; Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie; Dr. Patricia McCarney, WCCD President & Chief Executive Officer; Gary Kent, Commissioner, Corporate Services & Chief Financial Officer; Robin Uba, Manager, Corporate Performance & Innovation; Steve Czajka, Manager, Data & Visualization Studio; and Louise Donnelly, Researcher.
“On behalf of the World Council on City Data, it is a pleasure to welcome Mississauga to our global network of data-driven cities,” stated WCCD President & CEO, Dr. Patricia McCarney. “Under the leadership of Mayor Crombie, and through the efforts of her team, Mississauga is now WCCD ISO 37120 certified at the highest, Platinum level, joining a group of cities that include London, Dubai, Los Angeles, Buenos Aires, Quebec City, Surrey and Toronto, amongst others. Harnessing this high calibre, globally standardised and independently verified city data will help to continue to showcase Mississauga locally, nationally and globally as an innovative and attractive city.” 

 “As a data-driven municipality, we’re focused on the importance of transparency and innovation to drive our city forward,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “Being awarded this international, platinum-level certification reflects our ongoing commitment to becoming a smart, resilient and sustainable city.
Mississauga excels globally on numerous ISO 37120 indicators, for example, 11,790 Businesses per 100,000 Population and a Council made up of 50% women. Mississauga now joins the ranks of other data-driven Canadian cities by harnessing WCCD ISO 37120 certification to stimulate investment and innovation while further showcasing Mississauga’s competitive position on the global stage.
“Mississauga is now part of an international standard,” said Janice Baker, City Manager and Chief Administrative Officer. “Not only does it show how we are doing compared to other cities, but also serves as a benchmark in our planning process. It is important for us to be able to learn from other cities as we continue to build a world-class city.”

WCCD ISO 37120 certification comprises 100 indicators around 17 themes on city sustainability and quality of life. Cities are certified based on the recommendation of an independent third-party verifier who reviews the city data; ensuring conformity with the definition and methodologies of ISO 37120.

The WCCD is the global leader in standardised city data that helps to create smart, sustainable, resilient and prosperous cities. Mississauga’s membership in the WCCD gives the City the opportunity to compare best practices with other cities and actively participate in a worldwide organisation that uses standardised metrics to find innovative solutions to shared challenges. Mississauga’s ISO 37120 data is now viewable on the WCCD Open City Data Portal (accessible through www.dataforcities.org) which allows for local, national and international comparisons.

For more information, please contact:

James Patava
James.patava@globalcities.ca
+14169662368

Thursday, 29 November 2018

#DATAFORCITIES - Celebrating Heerlen, The Netherlands

   
#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.

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),

Follow the WCCD across all of our social media channels to learn more about each city! A fully downloadable and shareable PDF of the profile can be found here. 

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




Thursday, 15 November 2018

#DATAFORCITIES - Celebrating Tshwane, South Africa

   
#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.

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),

Follow the WCCD across all of our social media channels to learn more about each city! A fully downloadable and shareable PDF of the profile can be found here. 

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




Thursday, 11 October 2018

#DATAFORCITIES - Celebrating Taipei

   
#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.

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),

Follow the WCCD across all of our social media channels to learn more about each city! A fully downloadable and shareable PDF of the profile can be found here. 

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



Tuesday, 9 October 2018

Welland, Ontario joins the WCCD as a Platinum Certified City

   
On September 26, 2018, Welland, Ontario officially joined the WCCD network as one of the first ten cities in Canada to become WCCD ISO 37120 certified. Achieving platinum-level certification, Welland now joins the ranks of other data-driven, Ontario cities such as Toronto, Oakville, Cambridge and Vaughan, as well as cities around the world such as London, Dubai, and Buenos Aires. 

“Welcoming Welland into the WCCD global network of cities truly highlights the deep commitment of Mayor Campion and his entire team to creating a culture of data within their city,” stated the WCCD President & CEO, Dr. Patricia McCarney. “As an early adopter of ISO 37120 and achieving WCCD certification, Welland is another shining example that a data-driven culture can exist in cities and communities of all sizes. I extend my congratulations to Mayor Campion and the City of Welland.”

“Council are very appreciative of city staff’s commitment to transparency and accountability through an open government mindset and for distinguishing Welland as one of the leading Canadian and international cities for open data initiatives,” said Welland Mayor Frank Campion. “Data is a valuable resource, not just for Council decision-making, but also for providing insight into economic and social issues, and making contributions to the livability, workability, and sustainability of our community.”

 “This certification is a result of the hard work of city staff along with the support we’ve received from the Mayor and Council in pursuing smart city initiatives,” said Gary Long, the city’s Chief Administrative Officer. “It also reflects our organization’s culture of innovation that encourages staff to share knowledge, experiment, and collaborate on opportunities to use data and information to enhance city programs and services.”

Welland reported 95 out of the 100 indicators within ISO 37120, and the WCCD President and CEO will be presenting Welland’s Platinum certification in a ceremony with Mayor Frank Campion and city staff on November 13th. They are the fifth city in Ontario, and ninth city in Canada, to become WCCD ISO 37120 certified.

For more information, please contact:
James Patava
James.patava@globalcities.ca

Thursday, 27 September 2018

#DATAFORCITIES - Celebrating The Hague, The Netherlands

   
#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.

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.

Follow the WCCD across all of our social media channels to learn more about each city! A fully downloadable and shareable PDF of the profile can be found here. 

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

Tuesday, 1 May 2018

WCCD and Nova Scotia Mayors endorse creation of the first ISO-certified smart and sustainable rural region

   
May 1st, 2018
For Immediate Release
The Mayors of seven towns in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, Canada enthusiastically endorsed the message from Patricia McCarney, President and CEO of the World Council on City Data (WCCD), that their ISO certification would make the Annapolis Valley region a global model for rural sustainability and investability. The Mayors Executive Roundtable focused on demonstrating the Region’s attractiveness for investment, through the use of standardized, community-level data.

From L to R: Mayor Don Clarke (Berwick); Mayor Peter Muttart (Municipality of the Country of Kings); John Lorh MLA, Kings North; Mayor Sylvester Atkinson (Middleton); Mayor Sandra Snow (Kentville); Dr. Patricia McCarney, WCCD President & CEO, Mayor Anna Allen (Windsor); Mayor Jeff Cantwell (Wolfville), Mayor Bill MacDonald (Annapolis Royal); Keith Irving, MLA, Kings South; and Terry Dalton, President, i-Valley
“Creating a culture of data in communities and regions is the starting point for creating smarter and more sustainable communities,” stated Dr. McCarney. “For communities of all sizes to compete on the global stage, standardised, comparable and independently verified data will help to drive innovation and attract investment from both governments and the private sector. Once established, this model can be replicated in other countries around the world, and help to drive innovative growth."

Dr. McCarney (left) receives a hockey puck from Mayor Anna Allen
 of Windsor, Nova Scotia, the "birthplace of hockey."
In addition to the Mayors present, guests also included John Lohr, MLA for Kings North, and Keith Irving, MLA for Kings South. The Roundtable was hosted by Peter Muttart, Mayor of the Municipality of Kings and was chaired by Terry Dalton, President of i-Valley, with summarising remarks provided by Deborah Dennis, CEO of the Valley Regional Enterprise Network (Valley REN). Also in attendance was Acadia University’s Danny Silver, Director of the Institute for Data Analytics, who characterised the regional ISO 37120 certification program as "...not a project, but a fundamental shift in how communities track progress."

 For more information, please contact:

 James Patava
james.patava@globalcities.ca  

                                                                        

Wednesday, 25 April 2018

WCCD partners with i-Valley to create world's first Smart+Sustainable Rural Region

   
                                                                                                 
For Immediate Release
April 25, 2018 
                                                                              

 Mayors Gather in Roundtable with VIP Guest as Global 

First Beckons for Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia

The mayors in Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, Canada are gathering on April 30th to discuss the Valley’s certification as the world’s first ‘Sustainable and Smart’ rural region.  Dr. Patricia McCarney, President of the World Council on City Data (WCCD), is travelling from Toronto for the Executive Roundtable.  The WCCD certifies communities under ISO 37120, the first international standard for sustainable and smart communities.

The Executive Roundtable will focus on demonstrating the Region’s attractiveness for investment, through the use of standardized, community-level data in making communities prosperous, sustainable, resilient, smart and inclusive. “This initiative will help to create smarter, more sustainable, prosperous and inclusive communities,” said i-Valley President Terry Dalton.  “We will be compared to the most progressive global communities, through high-calibre, standardized and independently verified data.  This will be immensely attractive for global investors.”

“This mutual inquiry by our Valley Partners is an opportunity to inform our process and guide our future partnerships and collaborations,” said Peter Muttart, Mayor of the hosting Municipality of Kings.  “It crosses our artificial municipal boundaries and takes in the common needs and concerns of all of the citizens of the Valley.  We may well determine that positioning ourselves as being favourably, globally comparable through standardized ISO measurement, opens doors for other levels of government to partner with us, as well as enhancing and telegraphing our competitive position in the broadband-internet field – not just for our current citizens and businesses - but to future investors from all regions of the world.

“Globally comparable data is the starting points for smart and sustainable communities,” stated Dr. McCarney. “The WCCD believes that building a culture of data and having globally comparable, standardized city data enables communities to learn from each other and drive forward more prosperous communities. Standardized, globally comparable and independently verified community data is key to building the case for investment attractiveness. Gone are the days when companies were solely interested in tax and other incentives that communities were willing to offer. They increasingly want to know about air quality, the safety of citizens, and educational attainment in the community. ISO 37120 provides all of these measures in both a local and global comparative context.”

The Valley Regional Enterprise Network (Valley REN) has supported the project from the start.  Deborah Dennis, the newly-appointed CEO of the Valley REN explained, “We need to bring both rural and urban dwellers up to the best of global communications capabilities.  That is why we support the Smart Region initiative.”  Ms. Dennis, who is delivering the closing remarks at the Roundtable, added that “Data that is being gathered across major themes like economy, finance and education, will help with municipal management.  It will allow for informed decision-making based on analysis of evidence-based information and will benchmark areas for improvement that will support collective growth.”

Danny Silver, Director of Acadia University’s Institute for Data Analytics, added that he was pleased to bring his organization’s strengths to bear as a partner in the project:  “Digital technologies and data analysis make meaning out of the unprecedented amount of information available to managers today.”

About i-Valley, WCCD, ISO 37120
i-Valley is a not-for-profit movement to create Smart Regions and Communities in the Annapolis Valley and elsewhere in Nova Scotia. Smart Communities mobilize citizens to achieve faster economic growth, better health care and greater sustainability, through the use of advanced enabling technologies.
The Toronto-based World Council on City Data (WCCD) is leading the international and local implementation of ISO 37120 Sustainable Development of Communities: Indicators for City Services and Quality of Life, the first international standard; created by cities, for cities. ISO 37120 defines a comprehensive set of 100 standardized indicators that enables any city, of any size, to assess their performance and measure progress over time and also draw comparative lessons from other communities and cities locally and globally.
WCCD ISO 37120 Certification has a number of significant benefits for municipalities including the opportunity to demonstrate, through high calibre, independently-verified and comparable data the attractiveness of a city as a location for investment. A rapidly growing number of cities in Canada and globally are seeking and achieving WCCD ISO 37120 certification. For more information, please visit www.dataforcities.org.

For further information please contact Barry Gander, Co-Founder, i-Valley:  Barry.Gander@i-valley.ca or
James Patava, Vice President – Public Affairs, WCCD: james.patava@globalcities.ca