News & Resources
How Data and AI Will Power Local Housing Solutions in 2026
February 3, 2026
Dear City Leaders, If there’s one issue uniting cities across the Americas in 2026, it’s the need to build more housing. A shortage of safe and stable homes is driving an affordability crisis in urban areas across North, Central and South America. City leaders face some limitations when it comes to addressing housing. Factors such [...]
Celebrating 32 Cities Turning Data Into Results
January 14, 2026
Dear City Leaders, At Bloomberg Philanthropies What Works Cities we believe that data is the bedrock of an effective, innovative and resilient government that improves the resident experience and delivers meaningful impact. Today, I am honored to share that 13 new cities achieved WWC Certification while 19 cities have built on their success by sustaining [...]
We Heard You: The New What Works Cities Experience
September 19, 2025
Three years since joining Bloomberg Philanthropies What Works Cities, what inspires me most is the vibrant, multinational community we’re building together. Every visit with city leaders — whether in Bogotá, Colombia; Calgary, Canada; or Savannah, Georgia, — leaves me energized by the commitment to data-driven government. This community stands united in our belief that by [...]
Quiz: How Well Do You Know What Works Cities Certified Cities?
August 19, 2025
Take this quiz to see how well you know the 102 Certified cities.
Five Ways to Prepare Your City For Extreme Heat
May 29, 2025
Extreme heat is the new normal. 2024 was the hottest year on record, and 2025 is on track to be Earth’s second-warmest year. Brazil and Argentina experienced soaring temperatures in February, which closed schools and saw Rio de Janeiro’s hottest day in at least a decade. Meanwhile, millions of people were under extreme heat warnings [...]
Four Cities Prove That Certification Isn’t the Destination
February 26, 2025
Leaders in What Works Cities Certified cities believe in a simple truth: When local governments invest in citywide data practices they’re building stronger communities. They also understand that building strong data practices isn’t a temporary initiative with What Works Cities Certification as the end goal. Improving city halls’ data capacity is an ongoing journey. One [...]
How AI – Underpinned by Strong Data – Will Help Cities Combat Extreme Weather in 2025
February 18, 2025
Dear City Leaders, As I write this, the Los Angeles area is still reeling from devastating fires stoked by roaring winds and dry vegetation. Meanwhile, cities from Florida’s Gulf Coast to North Carolina’s Appalachian highlands are rebuilding after Hurricane Milton’s historic flooding. Phoenix was scorched last year by 113 straight days above 100 degrees, what [...]
Four Cities Show That Even ‘The Best at Using Data’ Can Get Better
June 17, 2024
For city leaders, making progress on their City Hall’s data capabilities is not a one-and-done exercise. Rather, it’s about continuous improvement — taking steps that build on one another and adapt to new technology or changed circumstances. That’s why at What Works Cities Certification, we talk a lot about cities being on a “data journey.” [...]
What It’s Like Seeing Data-Driven Policies In-Person
February 14, 2024
A recap of the first What Works Cities Certification City Exchange
Certification Is a Cherry on Top of Carlsbad’s What Works Cities Journey
September 28, 2023
CIO David Graham of Silver-Certified Carlsbad, CA, shares three benefits of taking the What Works Cities Certification Assessment.