JERUSALEM, Israel - Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat launched a "hi-tech blog" on Monday, meant "to increase transparency and dialogue" with residents of the city.

The mayor hopes residents and visitors to Jerusalem will use the new venue to interact with the municipality, offer suggestions, insights and suggest issues for discussion to improve government's services to the city.

Some of the features include municipal activities, some of the mayor's key projects, information on various development projects, as well as text of the mayor's speeches, City Council and municipal committee meeting minutes, links to the mayor's Facebook and YouTube accounts and pictures of the city that be copied and forwarded to others.

The impetus behind the new venture is the mayor's "commitment to complete transparency" and his desire to engage in more meaningful and productive ways with Jerusalem residents.

Interested parties can access the blog from the muncipal Web site or directly.