I have a fundamental problem with the idea of being ‘data-driven’. That is why I am troubled with the theme for today’s World Cities Day.  
 
‘On 31 October 2025, the Global Observance of World Cities Day will take place in Bogotá, Colombia, under the topic of people-centred smart cities. It will showcase how data-driven decision making, technology, and AI can be used to improve urban life and recover from current shocks and crises.’ World Cities Day | Urban October 

Why is being data-driven such a bad idea for cities? 

Firstly, it depends on which data you are collecting and using, and which data you are not. For example, data on the prevalence of disease might drive increased spending on medical services and drug treatment. Good idea, you might say. But if you haven’t been tracking levels of pharmaceutical pollution in the city’s water, your data-driven approach may be making water unsafe to drink. Focussing on data takes us away from looking at the bigger picture and can undermine ways of working which reduce the chances of unintended consequences. Being data-driven, in reality, causes as many problems as it solves. 
 

Secondly, all decisions are ultimately made, not on data, but on values. Data might tell you how to reduce carbon emissions, but if you don’t value the benefits of reducing carbon emissions (e.g. avoiding climate change) and/or co-benefits of such a reduction (e.g. of the avoiding geopolitical instability caused by climate refugees), no amount of data will help us make wise decisions. 

So, on World Cities Day I look forward to a future where we move away from the delusion of being data-driven, to the more practical approach of being values-led. Yes, we can be data-informed, but that is completely different from thinking we can, or should, be data-driven. 

If you are living in a city, or are running one, please ask yourselves the question: how do I want to live and what values do I want my city to express?