A Digital Innovation Strategy for London - One Year On
By Dominic Campbell • Jan 7th, 2010 • Category: Features
Without realising, I seem to be a man of New Years resolutions. When it comes to big decisions and turning my thinking into action, January appears to be a big month for me looking back.
Two years ago this month, I founded FutureGov (time really has flown having fun!).
Roll forward a year and London was on my mind. Inspired by much of what was emerging out of the US as well as some of our own homegrown intiatives, I felt moved to pen what I rather grandly called a “Digital Innovation Strategy for London”. Intended in the first instance to clear my head and organise my thoughts, I ended up passing it on to some senior London government colleagues for thoughts on how we might make some of it happen.
In the spirit of the reviews of 2009 that are going around at the moment, I thought I would share one of the versions of what I wrote (with the help of my trusted co-conspirator Carrie) around this time last year and leave it to you to decide whether I was on to something or whether I was missing a trick - and how much has come to pass.
I am genuinely impressed with much of what has happened in the Capital this past year and chuffed to have played a small part it shaping it, working with colleagues at the Greater London Authority and London Councils to make things happen. For instance, as reported in yesterday’s Guardian, today sees the launch of the GLA’s Data Store, catching up with many US cities leading in this field but with the potential to take it further faster given the support of organisations such as 4iP and the amazing tech talent in London just waiting to get its teeth into the challenge.
So take a look at what I wrote and let me know what you think. It would also be great to get your views on where we (collectively) take London from here, so that when January 2011 comes round we can do this all over again!
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As an old Londoner I must say that your spirit and drive always astonishes me Dominic. If I had known you and the crowd you hang out with when I lived in London (not that long ago) it is doubtful if would have ever left. I probably would have ended up working with you in FutureGov instead.
Be that as it may. Great work, need to catch up when I am in London next, which shouldn’t be too far in the future. The Sahara Forest project beckons and of course Mark Charmer and the London Akvo team.
You guys should investigate Akvo Really Simple Reporting for government city improvement projects, I think it could be a really good fit.
Thomas
All very sensible and laudable but i can’t see how local government have the wherewithall to deliver the sort of change you’re expecting. It would scare the shit out of them all.
Mysociety’s structure is far more compelling i reckon - not government, not big corp - not institutionalised in other words.
The next 10 years will see huge change, i just don’t think it will be exactly the way you see it. Only time will tell.
Mike.
Thomas - what can I say? I’m honoured. You are someone I’ve admired from afar for a long time as you know and hearing that from you makes all our work more than worthwhile. You’re welcome to join in the fun in London (or elsewhere!) anytime. Consider yourself an honorary member of FutureGov
Look forward to chatting more on your cities idea - sounds ideal…
Mike - thanks for the comment. I link you are being rather unfair on local government colleagues, many of whom are committed, innovative and thoughtful people up for the challenge of making this work. Time will tell I guess, and as you say it will no doubt be somewhat different to my ideas but if they help start us in the right direction that’s enough for me.
Would love to hear more on your thoughts on how you see things going.
(oh and the thought of us falling into the institutionalised camp brought a smile to my face so thanks for that!