Top Stories

How to bring human-centred design to your team: 9 resources for public servants. Building services with users in mind can transform how millions experience government. No matter what your project is or the size of your team, these books and articles will help you put citizens first. (Jodi Leo, Nava)

Denmark, Sweden and Germany are considering a meat tax. Livestock produces around 15% of all human-induced CO2 emissions. As well as its environmental benefits, a tax could improve public health and animal welfare. But would it really work? (Emma Charlton, World Economic Forum)

Want to get more out of your data? Start by asking the right questions. The quality of data available to government today has huge potential for policymaking. But too often, public servants fail to frame their queries correctly. Here’s how to get the most out of the numbers. (Stefaan G. Verhulst, The GovLab)

Lima is sending out drones to make its green spaces work better for kids. Urban parks and playgrounds can make a huge difference to children’s lives. But data is lacking — how accessible are they? Are they clean? In Peru’s capital, researchers are taking to the skies to collect this information. (Apolitical)

Upcoming

Want to expand the impact of your policy? Join our free online workshop. It’s not easy to know how to scale a policy. But there are key steps you can take, and secrets to overcoming challenges along the way. (Apolitical)

Ethnic identity can dramatically impact health — learn how in a free online micro-course. Understanding health equity, which looks at how to provide all groups with the same opportunities, is an essential skill for boosting wellbeing. Sign up to discover new ways of thinking to bring to your work. (Apolitical)

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Health and Ageing

Singapore is giving its citizens free fitbits in exchange for data. The government is handing fitness-tracking smart watches to hundreds of thousands of citizens. But it’s on one condition: that they share their data. Critics say it’s a ploy to collect information on public health. (Futurism)

Evolving Cities

Skateboarding is transforming cities for the better. Once seen as antisocial, skateboarders are now redesigning public spaces, supporting young people and getting citizens involved in decision-making. For instance Nottingham, in the UK, benefited from nearly £50,000 in investments after skaters made a local park community-owned. (The Conversation)

Technology Frontiers

Australia and Vietnam agree to collaborate on digital transformation. Governments all over the world are being faced with rapid technological change. So why not work together? The two countries’ prime ministers have signed a pact. (The Mandarin)

The first robot pilot gets its plane licence. While converting planes into autonomous drones is time-consuming and expensive, this robot provides an easier and quicker way to make aircrafts self-driving. It can be placed into any normal plane and handle the controls like a human pilot, with no assistance. (New Scientist)

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Too often, we leap to answers without first pausing to examine our questions. We tout solutions without considering whether we are addressing real or relevant challenges or priorities. We advocate fixes for problems, or for aspects of society, that may not be broken at all.” — Stefaan G. Verhulst, co-founder of The GovLab

Energy, Environment and Economic Opportunity

A Chinese architect is turning cities into sponges to save lives from flooding. Rather than draining water, “Sponge Cities” absorb it. From green walls and roofs to permeable pavements, over 250 places in China — and more in Indonesia, the USA and Russia — are adopting the idea. (World Economic Forum)

And Finally

Residents in New Orleans turned their pothole into an Airbnb. Frustrated by local government services and eager to accelerate street repairs, one neighbourhood furnished a pothole with a sofa, television, beercan and a Simpson’s doll. “Homer’s Hideout” was listed on Airbnb for three weeks. (CityLab)

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