Innovation Mindset

Smart Data, Fair Cities: Evidence-Based Approaches to City Management

Led by: Sonita Singh

Cities today generate more data than ever—on housing, transportation, public health, labor, safety, and beyond. But raw numbers alone don’t create better governance. Public professionals need strategies to manage, interpret, and act on this data in ways that are both effective and equitable.

In this workshop, Dr. Sonita Singh will introduce participants to principles of data-informed city management, with a focus on how evidence-based approaches can strengthen public services and address inequities. Drawing from her work with I-STARRT and the City of New Orleans, she will share how combining quantitative and qualitative insights—numbers and lived experiences—can help governments not just treat symptoms, but tackle systemic challenges at their roots.

Participants will leave with practical tools and frameworks for using city data to plan, evaluate, and course-correct policies, while building trust and transparency with residents.

Understand the core challenges and opportunities in managing city data
Identify strategies for integrating evidence-based research into city planning and service delivery
Apply frameworks for combining quantitative indicators with qualitative community input
Recognize how data-driven equity models can support fairer and more effective governance