Inclusivity – Los Angeles launches free community wifi in Crenshaw Corridor – Smart Cities World

Report on the Crenshaw Community Connectivity Pilot

Executive Summary

The City of Los Angeles has initiated a community Wi-Fi pilot program in the Crenshaw Corridor to provide free internet access to residents, businesses, and visitors. This initiative, a result of a multi-sector partnership, is strategically aligned with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It aims to bridge the digital divide, foster socio-economic opportunities, and build a more inclusive and sustainable urban community, serving as a model for future urban development projects.

Project Objectives and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Alignment

The initiative’s core objectives are directly linked to advancing global sustainability targets by addressing critical areas of inequality and infrastructure development.

Addressing Digital Inequality and Infrastructure Gaps (SDG 9 & SDG 10)

The primary goal is to mitigate digital inequality by providing reliable internet access. This directly supports:

• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): By ensuring equitable access to digital information and services for all residents, regardless of their socio-economic status.
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure): By developing resilient, reliable, and inclusive information and communication technology infrastructure in an underserved community.

Fostering Socio-Economic Opportunities (SDG 4 & SDG 8)

By providing connectivity, the project enhances opportunities for personal and professional growth, contributing to:

• SDG 4 (Quality Education): Facilitating access to online educational resources and remote learning platforms.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Enabling residents to access online employment opportunities and digital skills training.

Building Inclusive and Sustainable Communities (SDG 11)

The initiative improves public spaces and community engagement, which is central to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). It makes the Crenshaw Corridor more inclusive and connected for residents and prepares the area to support visitors during major city-wide events.

Implementation Through Strategic Partnerships and Innovation

The project’s execution exemplifies a successful collaborative framework, a core principle of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), and leverages innovative technology to achieve its objectives.

Multi-Sector Collaborative Framework (SDG 17)

The pilot is a joint effort between public, private, and non-profit entities, including:

• City of Los Angeles
• Cisco
• Destination Crenshaw
• The California Community Foundation
• Digital Equity LA

Technical Infrastructure Deployment (SDG 9)

The technical implementation focused on building robust and modern infrastructure in line with SDG 9 targets. The key stages were:

1. Installation of 1.5 miles of underground fiber optic cable from Leimert Park Plaza to the Hyde Park Metro Station.
2. Deployment of cloud-managed Cisco outdoor access points, leveraging existing city-owned street lighting assets for efficiency.
3. Utilization of Cisco Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul (URWB) to ensure secure, high-speed connectivity in areas where fiber infrastructure is not yet complete.

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

  The article directly addresses this goal by describing the development of new digital infrastructure. The “Crenshaw Community Connectivity Pilot” involves installing “1.5 miles of underground fibre optics cable” and deploying “Cisco outdoor access points” to provide reliable internet, a key component of modern infrastructure.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  A core purpose of the initiative is to “bridge the digital divide” by providing free internet access to a community, ensuring that opportunities are available “no matter their Zip code.” This directly targets inequality in access to information and technology, which can impact economic and social outcomes.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The project is a city-level initiative focused on making a specific urban area, the “Crenshaw Corridor” in Los Angeles, more inclusive and connected. By providing Wi-Fi in “parks and public gathering places,” it enhances the accessibility and utility of public spaces and aims to foster “community engagement.”

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article repeatedly highlights the collaborative nature of the project, describing it as a “partnership with Cisco, and the non-profits Destination Crenshaw, the California Community Foundation and Digital Equity LA.” It explicitly states the initiative shows “what’s possible when the public, private and nonprofit sectors come together,” which is the essence of SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 9.c: Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet.

   The initiative’s primary goal is to “provide free internet access,” which directly aligns with the aim of universal and affordable access. The project is a tangible step toward increasing ICT access for residents and businesses in the Crenshaw Corridor.

2. Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of… economic or other status.

   By addressing the “digital divide,” the project aims to provide the tools necessary for greater inclusion. The article notes that the goal is to “further opportunities for employment, education and community engagement,” all of which are critical for social and economic empowerment.

3. Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces.

   The project enhances public spaces by providing free Wi-Fi in “parks and public gathering places.” This makes these areas more functional and accessible for community members, encouraging their use for education, work, and social connection.

4. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.

   The article presents the project as a “blueprint” for this type of collaboration. The partnership involves the government (“City of Los Angeles”), the private sector (“Cisco”), and civil society (“non-profits Destination Crenshaw, the California Community Foundation and Digital Equity LA”), perfectly exemplifying this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for Infrastructure Development (Target 9.1)

  The article provides a specific, measurable indicator of new infrastructure: the installation of “1.5 miles of underground fibre optics cable.” The number of “Cisco outdoor access points” deployed is another implied indicator of the project’s physical progress.

• Indicator for Internet Access (Target 9.c)

  An implied indicator is the geographic coverage and the proportion of the population served. The project aims to provide access along “major streets, parks and public gathering places in LA’s historic Crenshaw Corridor.” Measuring the percentage of residents within this corridor who now have access to free public Wi-Fi would be a direct way to track progress.

• Indicator for Partnerships (Target 17.17)

  The article itself documents the existence and composition of the partnership. A qualitative indicator is the successful collaboration between the named public, private, and non-profit entities. The project serves as a concrete example of such a partnership being formed and implemented.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: smartcitiesworld.net