Surrey has won global recognition for its management of city data.
The World Council on City Data (WCCD) has awarded the City of Surrey Platinum Certification for its handling of information and delivery of services to residents.
“The City of Surrey prides itself as a leader in open and transparent data collection and sharing,” Mayor Linda Hepner said in a release. “We are honoured to be the first city in B.C. and Western Canada to be certified by the WCCD. In being awarded the highest level of certification, it only underscores our continuing commitment to build a thriving, green and inclusive city.”
The certification was awarded based on the recommendation of an independent third-party verifier who reviewed Surrey’s data. Surrey now joins a select group of global cities that have received this prestigious certification.
Some of the other cities represented in the WCCD are London, Shanghai, Los Angeles, Johannesburg, Toronto, Melbourne and Dubai.
“It is my pleasure to welcome the City of Surrey to the World Council on City Data as an ISO 37120 Platinum-certified city,” said Dr. Patricia McCarney, President & CEO, World Council on City Data. “In addition to being the fifth Canadian city certified, Surrey is also the first city certified in British Columbia and in fact, in western Canada," said Dr. Patricia McCarney, President & CEO, World Council on City Data. "The dedication of Mayor Hepner, the council and city staff to open, standardized and comparable city data will help to increase quality of life for all citizens while driving evidence based decision making and data driven solutions."
The first international standard on metrics for sustainable cities, ISO 37120 includes 100 indicators structured around themes including economy, energy, environment, governance, health, safety, solid waste, telecommunications, transportation and water and sanitation.