By: Amanda Daflos, Executive Director, Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins
At the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins, we believe that innovation is the key to addressing every kind of challenge or opportunity facing cities. In more than 200 cities day-to-day, we have the opportunity to witness the proof.
Globally, the Center supports leaders and teams in cities that demonstrate the limitless potential of public innovation to improve lives for residents and deepen trust in local government.
In places like Reykjavík, Iceland, which is improving student support services; and Salt Lake City, Utah, which is sparking resident-led neighborhood revitalization; and Mexico City, which is expanding digital access to city services; we see that more cities than ever employ public innovation methodology and learn from each other in the process, which helps grow the field and enhance the impact it has on residents.
In our home city of Baltimore, we are inspired by the work of Baltimore’s i-team and its focus on public safety and reducing property vacancy in historically disinvested neighborhoods that have been in need of innovation for generations.
We are likewise inspired by a series of new historic investments across the public innovation ecosystem. These include bringing to life the first-of-its kind State innovation effort in partnership with Maryland’s most diverse executive team in its history; partnering to bring the largest single cohort of innovation leaders to life as a part of the Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities initiative; and bringing youth-led climate action efforts to more than 90 cities through the Youth Climate Action Fund.
These are just a few of the inspiring stories that invigorate our work. In Creative and Ambitious Cities: Impact Highlights from the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins (2023-2024), we are excited to share stories of global cities we are proud to partner with that are proving that innovation and the work of brave leaders are making the difference in addressing some of the biggest challenge facing localities and our world.
To the innovators, teams, mayors, and residents who keep making this work possible, thank you. We are proud to support you at the Center and to help you in your work for people as you move forward.
– Amanda Daflos
Executive Director, Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins