What Happened?
Historic Williamsburg, Virginia, is launching a smartphone app that makes it easy for residents, businesses and visitors to interact with local government, attractions and businesses. The app is an upgrade from a similar resource launched in 2011 which increased accessibility and transparency in communications between residents and various members of the community.
The Goal
The Williamsburg Wayfinder app is an upgrade to the 2011 CITY 411 app that enabled residents to submit and track non-emergency service request, photos and text messages to local agencies. The Williamsburg Wayfinder app includes new functionality that allows users to access all local government departments to find specific information about the community.
The overall goal of the app is to provide individuals with a medium through which to communicate with businesses and government agencies similar to how they interact with other people in their lives. The app is designed to capture, route and manage service requests quickly and efficiently from mobile devices. The system can then create a channel of communication between departments and residents so response times are faster and projects can be accelerated. Whether the user is a resident, business owner or visitor, the same accessibility is available to all through the app. The program is geo-location based so users can customize their experiences while moving throughout the community.
App Details
The Williamsburg Wayfinder app lets users submit a service request or search for answers to frequently asked questions in a knowledgebase library. The GPS technology allows users to navigate the community and check the smartphone app along the way to locate nearby amenities or search for specific information based on location. The mobile app is free and available for iPhones and Android devices.
An App Above The Rest
Each year at the New Cities Summit, a contest is held to recognize the most innovative, city-based mobile apps. The AppMyCity contest rewards mobile apps designed to improve city communication and efficiency, as well as boost local tourism, businesses and sustainability. The competition narrows down all submissions to three finalists with a grand prize of $5,000 to the winning app.
Because many communities are realizing the potential benefits of mobile apps, the competition focuses on designs that enhance delivery of local government services, information sharing for residents and tourists, and access to information for all users. The final three submissions this year were:
- Djump A peer-to-peer car sharing service. Car owners can register with the app, and users can request a ride from a nearby driver. After a trip is complete, users can give a voluntary donation.
- Peerby A marketplace liquidity hack for sharing items. Users can post a request for something they want to borrow and local neighbors with this item available can receive a notification to lend it out.
- Social Cyclist A mapping and tracking tool to aid bike riders. Cyclists can map preferred routes on the app and report hazards along the way. Users can vote on various routes, offer feedback on bikesharing programs and assist in the development of bike infrastructure in the community.
App Revolution
Gov1 has kept an eye on the growing number of city mobile apps and the various benefits the technologies offer local communities.