An interesting article by Stephen Goldsmith in Governing discusses how certain urban leaders are using innovation to make their cities run better, faster, and cheaper. Goldsmith—a professor of government at Harvard’s Kennedy School and former Indianapolis mayor—identifies two principles that guide these cities. First, leaders employ strategies that span the entire community, from businesses to activists and philanthropic foundations. Second, leaders invest in systems that provide the foundation for innovation and expect innovation in return.
Goldsmith also references a series of papers that researchers at Kennedy School are writing on how local governments can improve the “innovation landscape.” First, focus on improving collaboration among existing agencies and sectors. Next, use data to improve decision-making and design solutions. Finally, create a permanent innovation framework in government, including a chief executive who “rewards and protects smart risk-taking and recruits risk-takers, including people from nontraditional backgrounds.”
For more information on how cities across the country are investing in innovation, see Goldsmith’s article and the Kennedy School paper series.
