The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has created the first standards to compare services of the world’s cities. The standards provide a way to evaluate a city’s performance based on verified measures on many topics including education, public safety, water, and sanitation. Metrics include those related to air quality, green space, poverty, and health of the population.
ISO wants to encourage higher levels of city service delivery by making the data open and transparent. The data could improve cities’ credit and bond ratings, supporters say, and high-performing cities would be able to argue more forcefully for higher national government assistance and tax sharing. The system could make it tougher for politicians to hide inefficiencies in city policies and administration.
ISO standards makers may also develop measures focused on risk and resilience. Indicators under consideration include the presence of early warning systems focused on threats such as stormwater surges and tornados, or seismic preparedness. The standards are expected to make it easier for cities to compare themselves to others with similar population and characteristics.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | May 24, 2018
‘Amazon tax’ could slow Seattle’s construction boom
City imposes employer head count tax to fund affordable housing.
Codes and Standards | May 23, 2018
AAMA releases 2017/2018 fenestration market studies
Offers forecasts of industry trends.
Codes and Standards | May 22, 2018
Registration open for 2018 National Energy Codes Conference
U.S. Department of Energy event to be held July 15th-17th in Austin.
Codes and Standards | May 21, 2018
New standard tests quietness of floors
ASTM International method will help manufacturers test their flooring materials.
Codes and Standards | May 17, 2018
California will require solar panels on most new homes
Projected to add $10,000 to cost of new homes.
Codes and Standards | May 16, 2018
New resources offer tips on off-site construction
NIBS documents address using pre-cast concrete, and commercial and legal considerations of modular construction.
Codes and Standards | May 15, 2018
Blast testing of loaded mass timber structures yields positive results
Four tests covered a spectrum of blast loads.
Codes and Standards | May 14, 2018
Maryland makes general contractors liable for failure of subs to pay employees
GCs could have to pay for up to three times the wages owed.
Codes and Standards | May 10, 2018
Data collection, machine learning boost building efficiency
Sensors, software algorithms squeeze out waste.
Codes and Standards | May 9, 2018
OSHA and state safety agencies write more than 100 silica citations in 6 months
Actions tending to come with investigation of other site conditions.