This document summarizes Apps for Ghent, an initiative to promote the use of open data from the city of Ghent to create mobile applications. It describes early efforts in 2011 to gather and release neutral datasets with limited developer engagement. Subsequent events focused on building expertise and connecting data owners and developers. A data portal was created at data.gent.be and partnerships formed to support Ghent's vision as a smart city. Lessons learned include the need for data expertise and ensuring data is in open formats and contexts. The initiative now aims to expand involvement of students and professionals and structure ongoing dialogue between stakeholders.

1. APPS FOR GHENT
26/09/2012
Bart Rosseau
E-Strategy
Stad Gent

2. Ego-slide
• Bart
• Gent
• Linus
• (ex)-Drummer
• Civil Servant

3. Making open data work,
offline…

4. Where to start ?
• Data ? • Or developers?
• Platform ?
• Disclaimers?
• Proces ?
• A public moment?

5. Babysteps
• Apps For Ghent –
– may 2011
– Gather datasets
• “Neutral“ data
– GIS data
– Streenames
• No long term engagement
• Explore the field
• Learning
• Datasets on website, no dataportal yet

6. The winners
KADEE WAKANKDOEN

7. Lessons Learned
• You need expertise
– A learning curve is accepted by the
community
– A lot of goodwill to share the knowledge
• Relevant data
– Open formats
– Metadata/context

8. The Dialogue
• More data for better results
– Growing need for apps
– Open data > hackaton
• Connect data-owners with developers
• Data portal as community hub: data.gent.be
• Policy instrument for smart city

9. Partners!
– Digipolis
– OKFN.be
– IBBT
– SME’s
– Hacktivists
– Politicians
– The Datatank
– Other governments/public bodies:
• Flemish Government
• V-iCT-OR (local gov ICT network)
• Citadel project

10. Apps for Ghent 2:
extending the network
• More ambition
– Students
– More development time for professionals
• Datatalks
• Network event (Ghent Living Lab)

11. And the winner is…
• The Missing H:
Circadia

13. Lessons… again.
– Structuring the data
– Dialogue between developers and data-owners
– prizes are not the ultimate incentive
– Students rock

14. And now…
• Ghent open data in ICT courses
• #Code9000
• http://data.gent.be
• Policy document
• Link BI – GIS – Data-analysis with open
data: data management

15. Results
• Insight in organisation and data
• Network of people interested and committed to
the city
• Partners to develop Ghent as a smart city
• Fun
• Apps

16. Questions?
http://appsforghent.be
http://data.gent.be
http://ghentlivinglab.be
Twitter: @bartrosseau
e-strategie@gent.be