Gallup – a global analytics and advisory company – has partnered with Urbanova – a smart city living lab in Spokane, Washington – to harness data to gain insights, empower people, and solve urban challenges in new ways. Gallup will conduct qualitative interviews with key stakeholders and complete a comprehensive data analysis to uncover public priorities that smart city projects can address.
“As cities grow and adapt, they will be more connected – people to places and to each other. Neighborhoods and communities are defined by those who live there,” said Kim Zentz, managing director, Urbanova, and co-director, Washington State University smart cities initiatives. “Urbanova is focused on harnessing data to gain insights, empower people and solve urban challenges. By collaborating with Gallup, we are delivering on our commitment to identify citizen-driven applications that matter to people and that strive for social, environmental and economic resiliency and equity. Ultimately, we expect to develop a process that is replicable and scalable for other communities to use.”
The Smart and Connected Streetlight Pilot was the first of Urbanova’s smart city projects – a pilot aimed to intelligently manage and control streetlights to increase energy efficiency. They have also participated in the Shared Energy Economy Model, tracking various energy assets to strengthen system efficiency and grid resilience.
Interviews will examine key issues related to public health, infrastructure, economic development, government, transportation and social issues. Gallup will also conduct a comprehensive review of existing data sources, to be incorporated into the study.
“At Gallup, we are committed to helping leaders and organizations solve their most pressing problems by understanding the attitudes and behaviors of employees, customers, students and citizens,” said Justin Bibb, Gallup senior adviser and project lead. “We have an opportunity to help Urbanova ensure its projects are aligned with the priorities of Spokane’s citizens. Ultimately, we will help Urbanova leverage the citizen voice to identify smart city solutions that matter.”
