David Gilford
Innovation for People, Cities, and Infrastructure
Technology, policy and entrepreneurship can solve our toughest challenges, but only if we get out of our silos - and only if everyone has access. I work at the intersection of the physical and digital, helping bring innovation to the infrastructure, buildings and processes that make up our cities.
What I'm Working On
David leads policy and strategic partnerships for Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners (SIP). Backed by Alphabet, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, and StepStone, SIP applies innovative technology to urban infrastructure systems to make them more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive.Over two decades at the intersection of the public and private sectors, David has built cross-sector programs to support innovation. As a Principal at HR&A Advisors and co-founder of the Broadband Equity Partnership, David designed digital and social infrastructure to close the digital divide. Previously, he co-founded the Connected Communities practice at Intersection, developing technology strategies for neighborhood-scale real estate developments.David previously held multiple leadership positions with the City of New York, including Vice President for Urban Innovation & Sustainability at the New York City Economic Development Corporation. As a Director of the Center for Economic Transformation, David worked to catalyze entrepreneurship and innovation across New York City, including developing UrbanTech NYC to provide real estate, equipment, and pilot opportunities to fast-growing companies addressing urban challenges. David holds a BA in Economics from Williams College and an MBA from the Yale School of Management.
What I'm Writing / Saying
- Imagining Future-Ready Infrastructure (Yale Insights)
- Why P3s are the gateway to the next generation of infrastructure (P3 Bulletin)
- David Gilford on Infrastructure (Narratives Podcast)
- Powering the Connected Travel Experience (Infraday - video)
- David Gilford on the Future of Infrastructure (PRISM)
- Public-Private Partnerships Offer Digital Divide Solution (BBCMag)
- WISPs Have Opportunity to Enable Broadband in More Affordable MDUs (BBCMag)
- The Divide: David Gilford on local priorities for federal broadband funds (Light Reading Podcast)
- Community-Centered Wireless Infrastructure Networks (Community Wireless Coalition)
- National Efforts to Close the Digital Divide Require Local Empowerment (Benton Institute for Broadband & Society)
- How Should the Biden-Harris Administration Close the Digital Divide? (HR&A)
- Public-private partnerships can help the subway survive (Crain's)
- Broadband from the Bottom Up: How Community Organizations Can Shape the Broadband Future (HR&A)
- Delivering Neighborhood Retail in an Online World (Urban Design Forum)
- Building a City Like a Smartphone
- From Place to Platform: The Rise of Smart Neighborhoods
- These 6 technologies are redefining the ‘smart city’
- Lake Nona enlists Google partner to help design shopping center
- ArabNet Digital Summit Dubai - MAD Talks (Video)
- Bisnow/Dreamit UrbanTech Summit (Video)