ABOUT Digi.City®

Digi.City® is a nonprofit organization that supports the co-creation of smart(er) cities and more connected communities by including the perspectives of a wide range of stakeholders, including citizens and residents. To enable our mission, we share information, showcase best practices, amplify voices, and convene leaders across sectors.

Check out our work: Articles | Videos | Events | Resources

Our Ethos

Our modern era affords us with the technical capacity to create a data-rich picture of what is happening in our communities. This ability comes with a responsibility to ethically implement these technologies guided by policies and programs that reflect a community’s stated interests.

• We are able to digitally connect our cities with high-speed, high-capacity Internet and so we must ensure that access is available to all.

• We are able to deploy sensors and data-collecting devices and so we must ensure that people are informed and educated about what data is being collected and how that information is managed.

• We are able to analyze data to make better decisions and so we must ensure that these actions are grounded in ethical practices that prioritize transparency, equity, and justice.

The issues we face in our urban areas are complex, interrelated, and dynamic. We have the capacity to use technology to helps us build better cities that offer a high quality of life for all residents. Implementing this reality mandates a cross-sector approach that welcomes perspectives from government, industry, entrepreneurs, academics, advocates, and artists. We must go beyond antiquated, hierarchical systems that inhibit creativity. We gain so much more by exploring new ways to work together.

Our History

Chelsea Collier created Digi.City® as a blog in 2016 to share the learnings and experiences of her Eisenhower Fellowship on smart cities in the U.S. and China. Over the years, Digi.City evolved along with the smart city movement and provided what the sector called for by sharing information, hosting events, and developing tools for smart city leaders around the world.

In 2023, Digi.City became registered as a nonprofit organization in the State of Texas in order to continue the mission of educational and collaboration activities for global stakeholders interested in the ethical design and deployment of smart city technology for the social good.

This conversation is happening globally and we are grateful for the opportunities to travel to many cities in the U.S. and around the world to discover solutions, challenges, and partners. Smart city leaders are freely sharing approaches, which creates a rich opportunity to give and receive. There are so many ways to learn and help each other. The diversity of political systems, points of view, city size, and available resources provides limitless innovation and inspiration.  Digi.City® is open and available to all and we look forward to your participation.