Local and Urban Politics

E14 - Technology and Local Government

Date: May 31 | Time: 03:45pm to 05:15pm | Location: Classroom - CL 431 Room ID:15721

Chair/Président/Présidente : Nicole Goodman (Brock University)

Discussant/Commentateur/Commentatrice : Meghan Joy (Concordia University)

Why do Cities Partner with Uber? Understanding Reasons and Models: Austin Zwick (University of Toronto), Zachary Spicer (University of Toronto)
Abstract: Multiple small and midsize municipalities in North America have partnered with ridesharing platforms (e.g., Uber, Lyft) to supplement their public transit systems. In this paper, we examine this trend in four case study municipalities: Innisfil (Ontario), Almonte Springs (Florida), Pinellas County (Florida), and Edmonton (Alberta). Each city has taken a different model to solve a different transportation problem. For instance, in Innisfil, the town opted to subsidize ridesharing fares instead of creating their own bus network, while Pinellas County has employed these platforms to solve their “last mile” problem by offering subsidized fares to and from public transit stops. We set out to explain (a) what transportation challenges do municipalities face in which they choose to partner with ridesharing platforms to solve, (b) what models of partnership with ridesharing companies are being created in the process, and (c) under what conditions result in successful partnership arrangements.

Information and Communication Technologies and the Regulation of Non-Human populations: Insights from the ‘Model City’ of Calgary, Alberta (Canada): Morgan Mouton (University of Calgary), Melanie Rock (University of Calgary)
Abstract: Across North America, 30% of households on average include a dog. This figure has important implications for public health and urban politics. On the one hand, dog-walking comprises physical activity, and can augment neighbourly interactions. On the other hand, being bitten or chased by a dog remains a common cause of injury and of social conflict, to the extent that fear of dogs may deter others from occupying public space (e.g., children, their parents, older adults). Indeed, dog-related complaints are amongst the most contentious and time-consuming matters handled by municipal governments. This presentation seeks to explore the public health dimension of pet-related policies at the municipal level, with the City of Calgary serving as a case in point. This Canadian city has a reputation, across Canada and internationally, for managing dogs without recourse to a ‘breed ban’ or breed-specific legislation (BSL). Key to the implementation of its animal-control policies is a dog-licensing database, and officials estimate compliance with licensing at 90%. By examining how the City of Calgary collects information about dogs and their owners, as well as how these data are used and by whom, this presentation will discuss socio-spatial politics in cities as multi-species zones.