Welcome to ctrl+alt+city

From real-time air quality and traffic monitoring to online public benefits portals and digital wallets, technology is a critical piece of infrastructure that powers our cities’ core services. As technology has seamlessly become interwoven into our cities, it's essential to understand the ways technology shapes our urban environments and how cities can influence technology in return. Ctrl+alt+city is a weekly newsletter dedicated to exploring the intricate relationship between public technology, civic engagement, and responsible urban innovation.

Our mission at ctrl+alt+city is to ignite new ideas around how the convergence of urban technology and city innovation can create more accessible, inclusive, and equitable city systems. Ctrl+alt+city aims to illuminate strategies for leveraging technology for the public good.

What to expect from ctrl+alt+city:

1. Bimonthly essays: Deep-dive discussions that examine the intricate and often overlooked aspects of urban technology and city innovation, touching on topics related to urban technology, public sector product development, and civic entrepreneurship.

2. "Adaptive Reuse”: a curated list of recommendations featuring articles, podcasts, and other media that sparks curiosity across all corners of public technology and city innovation.

Who’s behind ctrl+alt+city?

Hello! I’m Nneka Sobers, an urban designer and civic technologist who strives to help citymakers leverage technology to increase public good. Currently, I’m spearheading Product and Program development at the Jacobs Urban Tech Hub @ Cornell Tech. My background in urban planning + design, UX research, and product management has taken me on a journey that includes working as a Product Manager at NYC Planning Labs and co-founding an MIT-incubated civic tech startup.

Enjoy ☺