Cities Could Track 70% More Progress With Citizen Scientists

Cities worldwide are trying to track their progress on clean air, safe streets, and quality of life, but they're doing it with outdated, incomplete data that often doesn't even come from the city itself. A groundbreaking study led by the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis shows that everyday citizens could help fill these massive gaps.

Researchers analyzed 466 cities around the world and discovered something startling. Fewer than 20% of urban sustainability indicators are actually reported at the city level, even though they're designed to capture what's happening in cities.

That means decisions about air quality, public transportation, green spaces, and community safety are being made with national statistics that don't reflect what's really happening on the ground. It's like trying to understand your neighborhood by looking at data from your entire state.

Here's where it gets exciting. The study found that citizen science could contribute to 52 of the 77 indicators in the Global Urban Monitoring Framework, nearly 70% of all measurements. Right now, citizens are only helping with three indicators.

"Citizen science is suitable for contributing to most of the framework we reviewed, but it is currently contributing to only a handful of indicators," says co-lead author Inian Moorthy. The biggest opportunities are in areas where local experience matters most: air quality, access to basic services, public spaces, safety, and mobility.

This isn't about replacing official data. It's about making it better and more complete. Citizens can provide timely, street-level insights that government agencies often miss or can't collect quickly enough.

The Ripple Effect

When cities understand what's really happening in their neighborhoods, they can direct resources where they're needed most. A resident measuring air quality near a school provides data that could protect children's health. Someone tracking access to clean water in their community helps ensure no one gets left behind.

The potential extends beyond just gathering more information. When people participate in measuring their city's progress, they become invested in the solutions. They're not just waiting for change; they're part of creating it.

The study's authors emphasize that the challenge isn't finding data anymore. It's about integrating what citizens already know and can observe into official monitoring systems. As cities face pressure to meet global sustainability goals, they have a willing workforce ready to help track progress.

For the millions of people living in cities worldwide, this research offers something powerful: proof that their observations and experiences matter enough to shape how progress is measured.