Mayor Annise Parker and Gov 2.0?

Houston will inaugurate a new mayor on January 4th - one who will be looking for efficiencies in the budget so that basic city services won't be cut. I'm wondering if there will be an increased presence for Gov 2.0 in Annise Parker's administration? I think if the case can be made that the cost will be low and the benefits high, she'll look at it.

CNN has a nice overview of what Gov 2.0 means - it's basically the ability to instantly communicate with city government through technology (think: texting a photo of a non-working red light or a pothole or anything else directly to the city), and getting a quick response. It's also the city providing helpful data, transparently and directly to citizens through technology (think Houston's website with recent crime data). You'll also see Gov 2.0 called Open 311.

CNN gives examples from other large cities:

Texting a photo of an overheated train to San Francisco City Hall, with GPS coordinates, using an app called SeeClickFix.

Washington, DC has a DC311 iPhone app that allows users to snap photos of graffiti, broken parking meters, etc. and send it straight to a city database - again, with GPS coordinates.

Cities are also using Twitter for the same purposes. The City of Houston is making use of Facebook and Twitter accounts, and I've subscribed to many of them, but most of them don't appear to be very active, and my perception is that they are being used for more of a one-way communication to citizens and not so much for getting info about problems to the City. Maybe that's just because there is a low awareness by citizens that these avenues are available. The official City of Houston Twitter page has only 132 followers. BARC has 131 followers. I recommend signing up for the HPD Facebook page. They've got over 10,000 fans and they make frequent updates.

SeeClickFix has a Houston portal and it looks like people are using it, and that the City is responding. I think. Look at this example of a pothole problem on Richmond that got a response from the City. But, this service does not exactly seem to be in wide use, if this activity map is any indication.

The Parker campaign was known for its grassroots efforts, and for their outreach through social media. Once bloggers figured out they were serious about both - grassroots and social media - we started prodding them about transferring those two strengths to City Hall, via Gov 2.0. I'd be thrilled with an overhaul of the city website as a first step. It's nearly impossible to find what you are looking for on the site. I know it's got to be chock full of information, but it comes across as just another example of walls being built between the city and the people.

For now, call 311 with your problems with potholes, non-functioning street lights, trash pickup, etc. And, while you are at it, start asking for Open 311 when you are on the phone with the City, or when you are talking to your City Council member, or when you see Mayor Parker at an event.

Let me know if you have other examples or ideas about Gov 2.0. I'd love to hear them.