The document discusses how cities can work like the open web by adopting open innovation and open standards. It outlines the architecture of the web as having open standards like HTML, CSS, DNS, and HTTP that allow for modular development and many apps. Open innovation is the idea that new ideas don't have to come from within an organization. Examples are given of open data and APIs like GTFS and Open311 that third parties have used to create public transit and request tracking apps. The document argues that cities should focus on making core civic platforms like transit, weather, and mapping open to encourage more civic innovation.

1. Cities that
Work like the Web
Nick Grossman | @nickgrossman
Living Cities Strategic Forum on Technology and Civic Change
Jan 19, 2012

2. Today
The Web and Open Innovation
Transit
Open311

4. The Architecture of the Web

5. The Architecture of the Web

6. The Architecture of the Web
HTML

7. The Architecture of the Web
HTML
CSS

8. The Architecture of the Web
HTML
CSS

9. The Architecture of the Web
HTML
IP
CSS

10. The Architecture of the Web
HTML
IP
CSS
DNS

11. The Architecture of the Web
HTML
IP
CSS
DNS
HTTP

12. The Architecture of the Web
Standards
HTML
IP
CSS
DNS
HTTP

13. The Architecture of the Web
Standards
HTML
IP
CSS
DNS
HTTP
The Web has an “open architecture”
and serves as a “platform” to build on

14. Platform Thinking
CLOSED OPEN
architecture architecture
← few many →
apps
USER INTERFACE apps
Data & APIs
Integrated, Modular,
SERVER
proprietary open source
Data & APIs
HARDWARE

15. Open Innovation

16. Open Innovation
“The idea behind open innovation is as simple as it
is powerful: the creators of new ideas don’t have to
be within your organization in order to be helpful.”
– John Palfrey, Harvard Law School

17. Open Innovation
“The idea behind open innovation is as simple as it
is powerful: the creators of new ideas don’t have to
be within your organization in order to be helpful.”
– John Palfrey, Harvard Law School
creating the
potential for new things to happen

19. “I no longer sit with pitted stomach
wondering where is the bus.
It’s less stressful simply knowing it’s
nine minutes away, or whatever the case”
44% of respondents reported being
much more satisfied
Source: OneBusAway

20. “While my work usage was pretty
much on a fixed schedule,
OneBusAway has made impromptu
trips much more convenient.”
Non-commuters reported the
highest increase in usage
Source: OneBusAway

21. “Having the ability to know when my bus
will arrive helps me decide
whether or not to stay at a bus
stop that I may feel a little
sketchy about or move on to a
different one.
21% of respondents
reported feeling safer
Source: OneBusAway

22. 2005

23. 2005

24. 2005

25. 2005

26. 2005
GTFS

27. 2005
GTFS
GTFS

28. 2005
GTFS
GTFS
GTFS

29. 2005
GTFS
GTFS
GTFS
GTFS

30. 2005
GTFS
GTFS GTFS
GTFS
GTFS

31. 2005
GTFS
GTFS
GTFS GTFS
GTFS
GTFS

32. 2005
GTFS
GTFS
GTFS
GTFS GTFS
GTFS
GTFS

33. 2005
GTFS
GTFS
GTFS
GTFS GTFS
GTFS
GTFS

34. ?
? ?
2005
GTFS
GTFS
GTFS
GTFS GTFS
GTFS
GTFS

35. ?
? ?
2005
GTFS
GTFS
GTFS 2012
GTFS GTFS
GTFS
GTFS

40. marketplace.civiccommons.org

43. 311
2009
311
311

44. Open311
311
2009
Open311
311
Open311
311

45. Open311
311
2009
Open311
311
Open311
311
2012

46. Open311
311
2009
Open311
311
Open311
311
2012
+ International
Buenos Aires
UK-wide
Dominican Republic
Australia
[…]

50. marketplace.civiccommons.org

51. So...

52. Let’s move beyond more civic apps
to making all apps more civic
gov
gov
gov

53. Let’s move beyond more civic apps
to making all apps more civic
gov open311
gov
gov

54. Let’s move beyond more civic apps
to making all apps more civic
gov open311
gov
gov GTFS

55. Let’s move beyond more civic apps
to making all apps more civic
gov open311
gov
?
gov GTFS

56. What are the
essential civic platforms?
?? Open311 Transit Weather GPS
EMERGING GROWTH MATURE

57. Supporting Open Innovation in Cities
identifying
success stories &
emerging
lessons learned
standards
outlining the core
“civic stack”
sharing software
where are there
gaps? building
practitioner
community