United States
Sandy Stimpson
190,265 (2017)
Terrance Smith
Improve service delivery
Improve internal government operations
Simplify administrative procedures for firms and residents
Dedicated funding
Focus on measurement
Dedicated innovation team
Leadership from Mayor
Culture of innovation in city
Engagement with partners
Support from outside city administration
Mobile created a comprehensive inventory of blighted structures within the municipality by using Instagram as a prototype. With the blight map, the inventory has enabled the city to laser focus its funds for redevelopment in specific areas for maximum impact.
Note: The City Innovation Snapshot (PDF version) was produced in 2019 and some aggregate findings have been updated with the latest survey results below.
Along with 50% of cities surveyed, Mobile does not have an explicit innovation strategy. Similar to more than half of cities surveyed, Mobile approaches innovation capacity both from a holistic/macro level, as well as in specific policy areas.
Situated in the Mayor’s office, Mobile’s dedicated team for innovation consists of 4 staff. The city recently hired a Data Analyst to balance out human-centered/qualitative approach.
Taking risks or testing new ideas
Data-driven analytics/public data management
Engaging residents in new ways
Developing new solutions based on digital technologies
Organizational change within the municipality
Human-centered design
Rethinking your city’s approach to financing partnerships
Its innovation activities also include taking risks and testing new ideas; and engaging residents in new ways.
Like 81% of cities surveyed, Mobile has dedicated funding to support innovation capacity.
Mobile also invests in digital systems as well as paying for services to a third party.
Mobile has developed partnerships to promote its innovation capacity with other public agencies, private firms, not-for-profit organizations, and city residents/resident associations.