5 Ways Riverside Used Technology to Improve Quality of Life

In the past, Riverside, California, had suffered a slow decline. This once affluent, economically vibrant city had lost its lustre, with few job opportunities, a growing low-income population and signs of urban decay. In 2005, new city leadership decided it was time for a change. They set out to transform Riverside from a struggling bedroom community back into an economic powerhouse with improved quality of life for its residents—using innovation and technology as a catalyst for change.

What were a few of the key technologies that Riverside implemented?

1. An Integrated 311 Program: by introducing a “one call does it all” system, citizens can easily report problems from their mobile phones. Citizens also get a speedier response, since the message is sent where it needs to be.
2. Reverse 911 Solution: this convenient technology notifies citizens about power outages and emergencies.
3. Graffiti Abatement Solution: by actively linking vandals to a crime scene and building a chain of events against them, the city has generated over $200,000 in restitution.
4. Riverside Resident Connect: an application that provides a way for Riverside city residents to connect city services. Residents can use to communicate with the City (code violations, graffiti, missing trash pickup, potholes, broken streetlights, damaged trees, etc). This application is part of CRM (Citizen Relationship Management) system.
5. Digital Inclusion Program: almost 7,000 families have received free PCs, software and Internet access through this program, empowering them to improve their ability to communicate and gain employment in this digital work environment.

Through the use of technology, the City of Riverside better serves its residents and continues to drive economic growth. Now it can truly say that it is, “A great place to live, work and play.”

For more information on how the city of Riverside revitalized itself through technology, read the full case study here.