About City Forward
City Forward is a free, web-based platform that enables users – city officials, researchers, academics and interested citizens world-wide – to view and interact with city data while engaging in an ongoing public dialogue.
By using City Forward’s straightforward exploration tools, you can identify patterns, trends and correlations in the data that may reveal new insights and point to new areas of interest for further investigation. These explorations can then be shared and discussed within the City Forward Community and beyond – wherever people gather to exchange ideas about cities.
Project details
City Forward is a philanthropic donation of services and technology from IBM, which applies expertise and technologies to offer insight into specific metropolitan issues. In addition to City Forward, IBM has inaugurated Smarter Cities Challenge, a competitive grant program that will help 100 cities across the globe.
IBM recognizes the value of building a smarter planet, starting with building smarter cities. The future of our cities depends upon the boundless energy and insights made possible when people work towards common goals and understanding. City Forward helps do just that by enabling a greater understanding of the challenges our cities are facing.
Press Kit
The City Forward press kit provides basic information for media interested in the latest information about the project. For additional information please contact us.
To download these materials, right-click any link and save them to your computer.
City Forward Overview v.2 (PDF)
City Forward Technology Overview v.3 (PDF)
Frequently Asked Questions v.2 (PDF)
City Forward Project Images (Zip)
City Forward Logos (Zip)
About the Data
The data for City Forward is collected from numerous sources and is dependent on the availability of public data. City Forward data features metropolitan areas, cities and smaller geographic areas varying in size, development phase and location.
City Forward is excited about the data we’ve collected so far, but it is just the beginning. We envision City Forward growing to include data for more cities and metropolitan areas, expanded time spans and additional subjects. Go to the City Forward Data Catalog to view the data that is currently available. We are always looking for help in identifying the best data sources. If you are aware of publicly available data sources, preferably in a machine readable format, that are not currently available on City Forward, please contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can anyone use City Forward?
Will there be any fees associated with accessing City Forward?
No. There are no fees or charges associated with accessing or using City Forward.
City Forward is a philanthropic donation from IBM, which applies expertise and technologies to offer insight into specific metropolitan issues.
Which cities are featured on City Forward?
City Forward features a number of diverse, geographically dispersed cities and metropolitan areas. The selection of these depends on various criteria, most significant of which is the availability of reputable, public data. Cities and metropolitan areas will be added as City Forward continues to develop.
A current list of the available data on City Forward can be viewed at any time in the City Forward Data Catalog.
How can cities participate in City Forward?
City Forward relies on publicly available data and statistics about cities and metropolitan areas. We are always looking for help in identifying the best data sources, and encourage cities, organizations and individuals to contact us with suggestions. Once the sources are vetted, our team is then responsible for importing the data into the City Forward repository.
We are also looking for help in identifying case studies and reports illustrating urban best practices for our Smarter Practices collection. We encourage cities, organizations and individuals to contact us with suggestions.
What kind of data does City Forward need?
•Data connected to a specific city or metropolitan area
•Data over a period of time
•Data that is publicly and freely available
City Forward always documents the source of any data displayed on the site.
How can I participate in City Forward?
You can participate by creating and sharing explorations with the City Forward Community, sharing them via email and through social networking sites, or even embedding a version on your own website. Adding your voice to the active exchange of ideas in City Forward Community discussions is another valuable contribution you can make.
We are always looking for help in identifying data sources and urban best practices, and encourage you to contact us with suggestions.
What is the difference between a city and a metropolitan area?
A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement, particularly a large urban settlement. A metropolitan area is a large population center consisting of a large city and its adjacent zone of influence, or of more than one closely adjoining neighboring central cities and their zone of influence.
City data ends at the official city boundaries. Metropolitan area data is greater than the city proper but also encompasses the city itself.