Philadelphia, PA - The City of Philadelphia today launched the new phila.gov website, a milestone in the multi-year effort to transform the site into a modern, flexible portal focused on improving the way residents interact with government services.
The redesign by the City’s Office of Open Data and Digital Transformation (ODDT) includes more than 300 City services on a single platform. With easy-to-read content and improved usability on mobile devices, the site provides greater accessibility and online transparency into how City services are delivered. The site features a user-friendly structure that lets residents find City programs, services, and announcements from many different pathways.
ODDT comprises a team of civic-minded designers, researchers, developers, and content strategists. “We know that providing a more effective digital platform will help the City better deliver services to residents,” said ODDT Director Tim Wisniewski. “This work is part of the Administration’s overarching vision to make the City work better for those it serves.”
Features of the new phila.gov include:
• Simple, accessible language.
• Services and programs available from a global menu without having to dig into specific department pages.
• Improved usability on mobile devices, like smartphones.
• Departmental calendars that show upcoming events, including commission meetings.
• News and events, including spotlight events.
• Blog functionality.
“I’m delighted with the launch of the new website,” said Chief Administrative Officer Christine Derenick-Lopez. “It’s an essential component of the City’s broader digital strategy. Innovations like the new site vastly improve interactions between the City and all Philadelphians.”
Begun in late December 2014, the redesign has steadily evolved alongside the existing phila.gov website. Starting just six weeks after the project began, the team was rolling out new “alpha” pages and enabling site visitors to make comments and suggestions about the new design. By 2016, the site reached “beta” stage, accommodating more than 40 percent of web traffic. Throughout, the work has been a collaboration between ODDT and dozens of City departments.
