Other states and regions have already developed web sites that display indicators with a content and quality to which the Maryland Smart Growth Indicators Project aspires. The Project is not breaking new ground: it is trying to provide easy access to available data so that people concerned about growth and development in Maryland can see if the state and local governments are making progress or falling behind. There is much to be learned from other sites about the type of indicators that are useful, and how they can be created from standard data sources and presented in useful ways. Five examples illustrate some of the possibilities; all provide something to aspire to, but are beyond the scope of what we expect to achieve at this point with the Maryland Indicators Project:
The Boston Indicators ProjectThe Boston Foundation in partnership with the City of Boston/Boston Redevelopment Authority and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. The site provides indicators in ten categories: civic health, cultural life and the arts, economy, education, environment, housing, public health, public safety, technology, and transportation. Over 300 Bostonians from diverse neighborhoods, sectors, demographics, and levels of government collaborated over two years to develop lists of proposed indicators and indicator measures. Each indicator overview includes: highlights, innovations, civic agenda, research, and links and resources. There is also an "At a Glance" section included with each indicator which summarizes major conclusions about the data. The "Research" sections include Metro Boston/Massachusetts/New England Data and National Data, with links to the original data sources and short descriptions of the data. Each indicator in each category can be broken down ("filtered" in the site's language) by geography (Boston Metro, City of Boston, and all the individual neighborhoods within the Boston area) or by cross-cutting theme (Sustainable Development, Boston Neighborhoods, Children and Youth, Competitive Edge, and Race/Ethnicity). The Boston Foundation plans to release a biennial report with regular supplemental updates through 2030. There have been three reports published to date: The Wisdom of Our Choices: Boston's Indicators of Progress, Change and Sustainability (2000); Creativity and Innovation: A Bridge to the Future (2002); and Thinking Globally/Acting Locally: A Regional Wake-Up Call (covering 2003-2004). http://www.tbf.org/indicatorsProject
Jacksonville Community Council, Inc. (JCCI)JCCI has been collecting data since 1985 to track trends on the quality of life in Jacksonville and Northeast Florida. The Quality of Life Progress Report includes measurements on 111 indicators in nine areas of the quality of life: education, economy, natural environment, social environment, arts and culture, health, government, transportation, and public safety. JCCI also provides reference data in Excel spreadsheets, charts and graphs on their website for those who want to examine trends further. JCCI uses a telephone survey each year to obtain information for indicators that measure perceptions of citizens about the quality of life. JCCI releases this information through an annual report: Quality of Life Progress Report. This report includes a snapshot of the region in consideration which provides the indicator name, the data, the year, and the trend direction. Later in the report, each indicator is examined in further detail. JCCI also provides targets for the year 2010 in the Quality of Life Progress Report. http://www.jcci.org/statistics/statistics.aspx
Baltimore Neighborhood Indicators Alliance (BNIA)BNIA is an organization committed to promoting, supporting and helping people make better decisions using accurate, reliable, and accessible data and indicators to improve the quality of life in Baltimore City neighborhoods. Created in 2000, the group coordinates related work of nonprofits, city and state government agencies, neighborhoods, foundations, businesses and universities. In 2002, indicators were selected through a comprehensive community driven process, which employed use of forums and planning processes, focus groups with residents and stakeholders, interviews, general feedback, and creation of a Steering Committee. Forty indicators were selected, which fit into the following broad categories: housing and community development; children and family health, safety and well-being; workforce and economic development; sanitation; urban environment and transit; education and youth; and neighborhood action and sense of community. Data is available at various geographic levels: CSA, census tract, and citywide. BNIA also provides an interactive mapping system in order to view Vital Signs graphically. In addition to providing technical assistance and training to understanding and using data indicators, and providing a "one stop shop" for neighborhood data, BNIA also produces an annual report called The Vital Signs, which includes 40 indicators. This year, Vital Signs IV was released and is available on BNIA's website.
Baltimore CitiStatCitiStat is an accountability tool by which the Mayor runs the City of Baltimore. Strategies are developed and employed, and managers are held accountable by weekly accountability sessions. Results are measured week to week. Every other week, the Mayor, deputy mayors, and key cabinet members hold CitiStat meetings with agency or bureau heads. Before each meeting, the bureau or agency submits data to the CitiStat team on a two-week period. The CitiStat team then analyzes the numbers and prepares a presentation for the meeting. The team also analyzes the data received, compares it to the report for the previous period and formulates questions to explain the data and discuss any problem areas. A technical team prepares data for plotting in the computer pin map. CitiStat produces maps and reports on their website which include: transportation; parks and recreation; solid waste; housing and community development; water and waste water; fire; and health.
Main Page: http://www.ci.baltimore.md.us/news/citistat/index.html
Oregon Benchmarks(The Oregon Progress Board, an independent state planning and oversight agency created by the Legislature in 1989, is responsible for monitoring the state's 20-year strategic vision, Oregon Shines). Oregon Benchmarks is an indicator project designed to measure progress towards Oregon Shines, Oregon's strategic vision, which has three goals: 1) quality jobs for all Oregonians, 2) safe, caring and engaged communities, and 3) healthy, sustainable surroundings. Oregon Benchmarks has seven indicators: economy, education, civic engagement, social support, public safety, community development, and environment. There are 90 total indicator measures included in each of these broad indicator categories. Oregon Benchmarks is overseen by the Oregon Progress Board, created in 1989 as an independent state planning and oversight agency. The Board is responsible for monitoring Oregon's 20-year strategic vision. The Board is comprised of a 12-member panel, chaired by the governor, and made up of citizen leaders which reflect the diversity of the state's social, ethnic, and political character. Oregon Benchmarks are used for a broad range of policymaking and budget-related activities. State agencies are required to link key performance measures to the Benchmarks. Oregon's education reform initiatives are linked strongly to the education indicator benchmarks. County governments and community organizations use the Benchmarks to measure their progress. Oregon Benchmarks also strives to release biennial publications. These have included: 1999 Benchmark Performance Report, 2001 Benchmark Performance Report, The 2003 Benchmark Performance Report, Achieving the Oregon Shines Vision: The 2005 Benchmark Performance Report, Changes in Oregon Benchmarks by Race and Ethnicity 1990-1998, Oregon Benchmarks: A Progress Report on Oregon's Racial and Ethnic Minorities, and Oregon Benchmarks: A Report on the Progress of Oregon's Racially and Ethnically Diverse Populations. |
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