[Archived] Alexandria Named #1 Digital City in the United States

For Immediate Release: November 6, 2015

The Center for Digital Government has named Alexandria the top "digital city" of its size in the United States, based on the 2015 Digital Cities Survey.  The annual program evaluates cities' approaches to information technology, community engagement, policy and operations.  This is the 11th consecutive year Alexandria has been ranked in the top 10, and the second time the City has earned first place recognition.

"Alexandria has long been a leader in the application of technology to provide efficient and meaningful public services," said Mayor William D. Euille.  "As one of the first localities with an official Internet presence and the creator of the first citywide network of its kind in Virginia, our talented staff continues to implement next-generation technologies."

Digital Cities Survey judges credited Alexandria with a variety of public-facing and internal improvements.  A new computer aided dispatch (CAD) system improves the City's 911 services and provides enhanced communications services for first responders.  The new " ParkLink" feature of the City's website lets the public leverage the City's geographic information system (GIS) to locate parks and other open spaces based on location and amenities.  The City's institutional network, or I-NET, which connects government offices and facilities, has been upgraded from 1-gigabit speed to 10-gigabit to keep pace with greater data use and modern applications.  Network security features have been upgraded to reduce exposure to cyber attacks.

The Digital Cities Survey found growing use of cloud services, data analytics and mobile apps among technology leaders.  "These cities are true innovators and we applaud their efforts to increase transparency and open government, encourage citizen participation, and enhance cybersecurity," said Todd Sander, executive director of the Center for Digital Government. 

Councilman John Taylor Chapman represented the City to formally receive the award at the National League of Cities conference in Nashville on November 5.  For more information about the Digital Cities Survey, including a full list of winners, visit http://www.govtech.com/dc/digital-cities/Digital-Cities-Survey-2015-Winners-Announced.html .

For media inquiries, contact Craig T. Fifer, Director of Communications and Public Information, at craig.fifer@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3965.