Print Bridges the Gap Between City Residents and Technology

Credit: Cities Today by Town of Innisfil

I recently came across this article aimed at the managers of cities and other urban spaces on how signage can help them overcome some of the pushback from residents around technology. This is especially true when it comes to “smart” technology that many people automatically assume means the government is collecting personal information for some kind of nefarious purpose.

The reality is that much of the time, the data being collected is more the analytics type, with a goal of improving quality of life, public safety, or managing transportation, to name a few. The article details a pilot program using four different city projects — in different locations — as test cases, with 48 signs detailing 13 different technologies — and the results were impressive. Nearly 1,400 people engaged with the QR codes on the signs to get more information about the projects and the technologies, easing concerns and improving the relationships between the city managers and the residents.

It is a powerful real-world example of just how much of a difference print still makes in our lives every day. Technology might be changing and improving our lives in many ways, but it is print that is helping bridge the gap and bring people together.

When was the last time you reached out to your local government? The city or town managers where your shop is based? The county where you do your business? Sure, it’s easy to focus on the state and federal governments, but the reality is that there are far more cities and counties out there that likely don’t realize just how powerful a medium print still is in the success — or failure — of their projects.

Granted, sometimes reaching the right person in your specific city or county might be difficult, since the structure will likely be a bit different everywhere you look. But it is an effort that will pay off in the long run, as you establish relationships with the people who are not just making policy decisions that will impact you, but who also need to communicate regularly with your neighbors and partners.

And as the pilot program demonstrates, even the most high-tech, forward-thinking cities and counties still need print to help ease the way and increase resident buy-in.