Zencity

zencity.io

Local governments are the beating heart of a well-functioning society. But community trust—the currency of governance—is broken. The reason? High barriers to participation, inconvenient and contentious meetings, and outdated approaches to solicit input end up emphasizing the voices of the few and excluding the many. We call this the “STP” (Same Ten People) problem, and it’s standing in the way of effective governance. Cut out from the conversation is everyone else: the busy parent with no time to attend a city council meeting, the young adult who relocates every year, the recent immigrant who isn’t comfortable speaking in public, and many others. Without a clear, comprehensive, and inclusive understanding of what residents want and need, local government leaders are operating at a disadvantage. Their decisions are not as informed as they could be, and residents are left feeling discounted and unheard. Government organizations that continue to operate with such a limited view risk