City Forward will be a web-based, multi-sensory hub of insight and information — insight and information that can be used by cities and their citizens to see themselves in new and powerful ways.

  • Today's cities are the economic, governmental, cultural and technical power plants of a global society. Our future depends on keeping them running and growing brightly. City Forward helps do just that by enabling a greater understanding of the challenges facing cities – by building upon the boundless energy and insights made possible when people work together towards common goals and understanding.

    City Forward is a web-based platform that enables city officials, researchers, academics and interested citizens world-wide to view and interact with city data while engaging in an ongoing public dialogue.

    Let’s look at how this might work.

    Complex SystemsUsers of City Forward can explore data about their city, and other cities around the world, to gain insight into urban issues such as transportation, energy, health, education and the environment.

  • City Forward connects a community of city leaders, urban experts, academics and citizens—each making unique contributions and drawing unique value from the initiative.

    City Forward is collaborating with non-profits, think tanks and public policy schools to integrate their urban planning policy expertise as well as their extensive network of contacts with cities, non-profits and academia. The project also draws on extensive expertise from across the IBM Corporation.

    Stakeholders

  • City Forward uses a unique suite of the latest IBM software to deliver a platform through which users can explore the world's metropolitan areas through data.

    Powerful exploration tools turn raw data into actionable information—revealing important patterns and insights.

    Easy-to-use collaboration tools enable globally distributed teams to explore information, change assumptions and share knowledge.

    Powerful authoring tools give subject matter experts the ability to illustrate ideas and trends, encouraging discussion of their validity and impact.