ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses some of the exciting issues currently emerging in American cities around data, information, and communications. The open data movement is now worldwide, making more and more data available from public sector agencies to citizens and businesses. This has allowed the use of data for civic tech activists creating mobile apps from city data and allowed citizens to explore public sector issues themselves. More and more people are working with data visualizations to help residents understand trends in government and public policy issues. More and more cities are also getting involved in the smart city movement and using technology to monitor and improve city services. The chapter presents an overview of the public affairs/communications function and its importance in cities. Understanding the issues and needs of data, information, and communications is critical today to fulfilling NASPAA expectations on being able to effectively communicate with the public.
