A national research and advisory institute named Evanston one of the top cities nationwide for its technological practices in communicating with residents.

In its 2014 Digital Cities Survey, the e.Republic’s Center for Digital Government ranked Evanston as tied for sixth among cities with populations of up to 75,000 people. The questions from the annual survey, which is in its 14th year, focused on citizen engagement, policy, operations, and technology and data. It also helped to gauge which initiatives cities were most proud of relating to those areas, according to a news release from the city. The survey was open to all U.S. cities.

“For Evanston, Ill., officials, promoting the highest quality of life for all residents is a top priority, and they do this by providing fiscally sound, responsive municipal services – and being transparent about these services,” the center wrote in its analysis of Evanston.

The center also wrote that Evanston communicates as much data as possible through its website, which improves its operations’ effectiveness and efficiency, according to the news release.

The city’s “bring your own device” program for city staff was another initiative acknowledged by the center. The city’s Information Technology Division is currently executing the program, which is predicted to increase overall employee satisfaction and productivity and reduce costs, according to the news release.

In July, Evanston was also recognized as a Tech Savvy City by the Public Technology Institute, a nonprofit that consults with different cities and counties to improve their technology.

Earlier in 2014, PTI also gave Evanston three other awards related to technology.

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