App-Powered Governments

Jennifer Pahlka Keynotes

The Jennifer Palka keynotes focus on the topic of digital coding and how it aids governments in...

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Jennifer Pahlka Discusses the Initiative of Code for America

— March 13, 2012 — Keynote Trends
Coder and activist Jennifer Pahlka is the founder and executive director of Code for America, a not for profit that focuses on helping governments work better for everyone using the power of the web. Jennifer Pahlka refers to Code for America as a "peace corps for geeks," because she sends them to work with city governments.

An example of an innovative digital app created by some of the fellows at Code for America is one that allows residents of the city of Boston to adopt a fire hydrant. This app was made to address the problem of fire hydrants needing to be dug out after heavy snowfall. Citizens can download the app and sign up to volunteer to clear the fire hydrant of snow on a digital map. This technology was used by other city governments around the US to facilitate the care of tsunami sirens in Hawaii and clogged storm drains in Seattle.
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