Towards a research agenda on what innovation in government consists of, how the current focus on innovation may be changing the public sector service delivery function, and the extent to which it is a distinct phenomenon as opposed to previous cycles of governmental reform efforts.
If cities are at the center of so much innovation, as is commonly argued, do we adequately understand innovative processes and innovative outcomes at the city level? Moreover, are cities tracking the innovative activities occurring in their midst? Could the goals of supporting innovation be better realized if innovative activity was better understood at an urban scale?
In our new, rapidly changing societies – perhaps the way forward is not to try to tightly control new innovations, but to have the right government structure to safely try new things, respond quickly, evaluate, adjust and adapt.
In recent years, we have seen a growth in popular discourse about the importance of the "city as the future." Within the context of the increasing importance of the city as a unit, there has also been a corresponding emphasis on the need for city government to “innovate” their policies, services and practices. This post explores a typology of government innovation help to bring clarity to these emerging practices.
In May, Professor Chan was invited to join the Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles, a gathering of thought leaders to discuss ideas and solutions to some of the world’s most complex problems, and discuss the topic of "Transforming the Urban Landscape."
