Bloomberg Philanthropies

Cities thrive when people have spaces to connect. At #CityLabMadrid, María José Ferrari shared how Madrid’s public spaces create opportunities for everyday interaction, shared experiences, and a stronger sense of belonging for both longtime residents and newcomers alike.

We’re moving faster through public spaces—but spending less time connecting within them. At #CityLabMadrid, @crassociati explored how AI-powered analysis is helping him reimagine public spaces that invite people to slow down, gather, and connect.

At #CityLabMadrid, @BloombergDotOrg Mayors Challenge winners @boisemayor of @CityOfBoise, @VicoSotto of @PasigInfo, and @geordinhl of @CityofCT joined @1a's @JWhitePubRadio to discuss how they are reimagining the essential systems residents rely on daily. From affordability to transit, emergency response to workforce development, their city halls are doing the work progress requires—testing, learning, and implementing solutions that meet people’s real needs—and demonstrating what local government innovation can do: bit.ly/4daBJ6j

Better data leads to cleaner air—and healthier communities. At #CityLabMadrid, @CarlosFGalan, @SakajaJohnson, and @trzaskowski_ shared how their cities are using data to better understand air pollution and its impact on public health—helping them make smarter, more targeted decisions. From real-time air pollution sensors in @warszawa to neighborhood-level health insights in @Bogota, @BreatheCities is working with cities around the world to improve air quality and save lives.

For @MayorBMScott, tackling Baltimore’s vacant housing challenge is personal. At #CityLabMadrid, he shared how capacity-building inside city hall – with Baltimore’s @BloombergDotOrg-supported Innovation Team – is making it happen: driving a block-by-block strategy, bringing partners together, and shifting city hall from reacting to problems to preventing them—a difference residents can feel: bit.ly/4v5XnPl

Safer streets save lives. That’s why we’re expanding our commitment to road safety with a new $350 million investment supporting efforts across 13 countries and more than 30 cities worldwide. Safer street design and stronger policies can help protect communities around the world.

A year of impact, passed across cities around the world. See how local leaders are turning bold ideas into action in our 2025-2026 Annual Report. bit.ly/4denFY3

Leadership starts at the local level. At #CityLabMadrid, mayors from around the world came together to delve into shared challenges, share what’s working, and advance a new generation of solutions for their residents.

.@CTurlington and @everymomcounts are working to reduce preventable deaths during pregnancy and childbirth—expanding access to safer care for mothers everywhere. Our team was glad to learn more about their efforts this Mother’s Day.

No woman should live with a preventable childbirth injury. Together with @Fistula_Fdtn, we’re working to ensure more women can access life-changing surgery and care.

Off the coast of the Philippines lies one of the most biodiverse reefs on the planet. We helped protect it.  To date, Bloomberg Philanthropies has helped strengthen protections for 11M+ square miles of ocean. Read more in our 2025-2026 Annual Report: bloomberg.org/annualreport/

What if housing was designed around art? At #CityLabMadrid, Dasha Zhukova shared how RAY is using the arts to help residents feel at home, building connection within communities and across neighborhoods.

What happens when art shapes public spaces?   Artist Cristina Iglesias invited us into her Madrid studio to explore how collaboration between artists and city leaders can create spaces that foster connection and reflection in their communities.

Better data. Better decisions. Better outcomes. Our data initiatives help city halls level up—using evidence, insights, digital tools, and AI to modernize services and improve everyday life for residents. From expanding housing in @btvparks to connecting residents with critical support in @Bogota, our What Works Cities Certification program with @Results4America is helping mayors is helping mayors deliver progress residents can see and feel. Learn more: whatworkscities.bloomberg.org

Diverse. Hope. Compassionate. Love. From Allentown to Tsukuba to @KCCAUG to Rochester, mayors at #CityLabMadrid described their cities in just one word—capturing the energy, identity, and ambition shaping communities around the world.

Top moments from #CityLabMadrid 🌍 From bold commitments to new alliances to tangible solutions, the summit showed how local government can lead – and push progress even further.

$1 million each. 24 city halls. Endless potential.    Our 2025-2026 Mayors Challenge winners represent the most innovative ideas to improve essential services - from reducing waste, to cooling homes, to repairing sewer lines. Explore their ideas in our 2025-2026 Annual Report: bloomberg.org/annualreport