Pioneering Urban Innovation: Introducing The Populus Code the Curbs Fellowship

Cities worldwide are embracing the imperative to digitize curb regulations — a task made urgent by the ever-growing list of competing priorities for limited curb space. For over five years, cities have been urged to "code their curbs" in preparation for the future. This call to action has gained momentum, fueled by initiatives such as the USDOT SMART Grant program, which has powered trailblazing cities in their initial investments into digitizing curb regulations.

Enter the Populus Code the Curbs Fellowship—a pioneering program designed to empower cities in their journey towards digitizing curb regulations. With a focus on advancing curb management, this fellowship aims to make streets safer and more efficient while providing invaluable learning opportunities for students and young professionals in transportation and urban planning.

Traditional approaches to curb management are proving inadequate – static regulations struggle to adapt to evolving needs and increasing urgency for real-time information. Digitizing curb regulations offers a transformative solution, leveraging data and technology to optimize space allocation, improve traffic flow, and enhance accessibility.

The Code the Curbs Fellows Program will accept a select group of fellows from top-tier master's programs to support cities in coding their curb regulations over an eight-week period. The focus is on practical, action-oriented solutions, delivering a digital curb inventory for a designated area in each city accelerating their journey towards digitization.

The fellowship not only benefits participating cities but also empowers the next generation of urban leaders. Through hands-on experience and mentorship, fellows gain insights into urban governance and data-driven decision-making. The program fosters collaboration and innovation among future urban innovators, cultivating a culture of creativity and problem-solving. Fellows will receive a generous stipend and will have travel to and from training and their city assignments covered by Populus.

The Populus Code the Curbs Fellowship represents a bold step towards smarter, safer cities. By digitizing curb regulations, cities can unlock the full potential of their curbs, creating vibrant, adaptable spaces that serve the needs of all residents. The urgency to embrace innovation is clear, and the fellowship offers a roadmap to a brighter future for urban development. Together, we can build communities that are safer, more efficient, and more inclusive for all.

Applications for our fellows will remain open until April 18, please submit as soon as possible here!

For cities interested in participating, please submit your application to receive more information. 

Questions? Reach out to the Populus team at contact@populus.ai