Dan O’Brien

Clockwise from tom left, mayor Yvonne M. Spicer, town manager Steve Bartha, Marc Draisen, executive director of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, mayor Martin J. Walsh, mayor Dan Rivera and moderator Sid Espinosa, director of philanthropy and civic engagement at Microsoft, speak during the BARI closing keynote “What Cities and Towns Need Now”. Photo by Ruby Wallau/Northeastern University

Imagine leading a city through a pandemic and mass protests. Now imagine doing it from home.

Three mayors and one town manager in Massachusetts have had to do just that since February. Now, these leaders are thinking about ways to strengthen their communities after COVID-19.

by Khalida Sarwari August 3, 2020

Boston’s 311 reporting system is the subject of O’Brien’s latest book, The Urban Commons: How Data and Technology Can Rebuild Our Communities. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

A smart city is more than flying cars and sensors

The 311 system, a service that enables citizens in hundreds of cities and towns around the country to report non-emergency issues such as graffiti and potholes, represents the “mundane version of smart cities,” argues Northeastern professor Dan O’Brien. “Apps and basic digital data can help us understand and serve cities better,” he says.

by Khalida Sarwari September 18, 2019

Northeastern’s Beltway insiders

Over a recent six-day span, students, faculty, and staff participated in three separate White House events that recognized contributions made in the areas of network partnerships, interfaith service, and HIV and AIDS awareness advocacy.

by Joe O'Connell September 17, 2015

Imagine leading a city through a pandemic and mass protests. Now imagine doing it from home.

A smart city is more than flying cars and sensors

Northeastern’s Beltway insiders

Cookies on Northeastern sites