IBM has introduced new analytics software and services to help cities predict the result of policy decisions and their positive and negative spill over consequences up to a quarter century in the future.

System Dynamics for Smarter Cities is designed to help mayors and other municipal officials reduce the unintended negative consequences of municipal actions on citizens, as well as uncover hidden beneficial relationships among municipal policies. A more thorough understanding of how policies affect each other over time will enable officials to reduce or avoid negative results before they happen. Leaders will also be able to “double down” on policies that are projected to have positive ancillary results.

Using sophisticated analytics, System Dynamics for Smarter Cities addresses the dynamics among the complete spectrum of municipal policies and their effect on citizens, such as the association between:

· Public transportation fares and high school graduation rates

· Obesity rates and CO2 emissions – while somewhat surprisingly average vehicle MPG has little effect

· Average health and attractiveness of the city to businesses

· Population density and wellness

· Taxes/fees collected and electricity consumption

· Farmers markets and economic growth