The Secure Energy Efficient Community Edge Cloud (SEEC) project was designed to improve access to fast, high-quality digital resources, notably broadband internet, in neighborhoods where such access remains lacking. The project brought together an anchor institution, Silicon Harlem, residents, city officials, and other local stakeholders, researchers, Microsoft and Cisco, in an iterative process to design and develop a novel, community-based high-speed edge-cloud network.
The project was supported by a $1 million National Science Foundation grant. Silicon Harlem hosts over 100 edge-cloud servers, making its Uptown Space the first edge-cloud data center in Upper Manhattan. The data center drives Silicon Harlem closer to offering 5G technology and advances the goal of bridging the digital divide in New York City.
Co-City Baton Rouge (CCBR) is a multi-stakeholder approach to urban regeneration in long-neglected and impoverished neighborhoods in Baton Rouge’s four-mile Plank Road corridor. The core innovative approach of the project was to create a new neighborhood-based institution, the Plank Road Community Land Bank and Trust (CLBT) to place vacant, abandoned and/or deteriorated properties (VADs) back into productive use and prevent the displacement of existing residents.
The Plank Road CLBT is the first of its kind in the nation. By combining the features of a traditional land bank with a community land trust, this hybrid institution is being used to drive investment in residential, commercial, and recreational developments, green infrastructure, arts- and youth-focused activities, and public utilities such as microgrids and broadband. The first CLBT development is a 10,000-square-foot EcoPark which includes elements co-designed through a community engagement process.
CCBR and its collaborative partners were awarded a competitive $5 million Advancing Cities Grant by JP Morgan Chase to support the transformation of the Plank Road area.
The Westchester Climate Resilience and Innovation Hub will establish a comprehensive regional initiative focused on enhancing climate resilience, fostering innovation, and building a sustainable and just future for Westchester County, New York. The Hub will bring together community-based organizations from around the region, Columbia University researchers, local innovators, and public officials to create a resilient community that can thrive in the face of environmental and climate justice challenges.
The Hub will provide financing and critical resources for organizations in the region to develop and implement innovative plans and solutions that require sophisticated data analysis, climate-resilient technologies, and extensive community engagement. This project is not just about building infrastructure; it’s about bringing together and empowering diverse local and community partners and ensuring that they play a pivotal role in shaping, implementing, and benefitting from climate and energy investments.
LabGov has joined a consortium of innovators, including WHY Architects and BluSky, in a transformative project meticulously designed around 5 pillars; Smart Infrastructure, Smart Housing, Smart Waste Management, Smart Education, and Smart Public Safety.