Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson’s website recently announced that his Engaged City Task Force is launching some “steps to modernize civic engagement” and some new online tools to achieve that goal.
Noting how ironic it is that unprecedented access to communication technologies “should coincide with the decline of civic engagement and increased feelings of isolation,” the task force is helping city hall to broaden its conversations with the public (pdf).
The task force’s first report, released May 22, featured 16 recommendations, including:
* a city-wide block party;
* a crowd-sourced venue list which would alert the public to community spaces which would be suitable for their events;
* a mobile city hall which would provide basic services in various neighbourhoods;
* an ‘Open Doors’ day, where residents could tour city hall, performance venues, etc;