The document outlines Nanaimo's open data strategy which aims to make the city's raw data openly accessible and searchable online through principles like open data access, search engine optimization, citizen involvement, and open APIs. The strategy is meant to drive innovation, efficiency and productivity by businesses, help residents, and assist visitors by making Nanaimo's data freely available.
The AI Initiative aims to engage stakeholders to help shape global policy around addressing the challenges of developing and controlling artificial intelligence. Rapid improvements in machine learning, neuroscience, and high-performance computing are leading to new capabilities in AI that could benefit society but also pose risks. Both immediate and future actions are needed to ensure AI's promise is realized while managing its socio-political consequences, as computing systems are already outperforming humans in important tasks.
Data Driven Public Services - Mark Charmer, AkvoFutureGov
We build web and mobile tools that we run as a service to help address poverty issues. The Akvo team is headquartered in the Netherlands and consists of 38 people. Their tools aim to make knowledge more accessible, reporting more effective, and funding more transparent by moving field surveys from paper to digital. However, there are also risks such as tools being used for control rather than empowerment, big consultancies monopolizing the market, and advertising-based models corrupting public data projects over the long run. Developing an ethical framework for data practitioners worldwide is important to prevent abuse of those with less knowledge and skills.
Using Open Data to Transform Our CitiesIvan Begtin
The document discusses open government and open data. It defines open government as making government information and services accessible to the public through principles like transparency, citizen participation, and collaboration. Open data refers to non-private government data that is freely available for public use. The document advocates for open data and citizen involvement to create "open cities," where startups can use open data and real-time web services to develop applications that benefit the public and involve crowdsourcing community input. Challenges and opportunities around open sensor networks and engaging officials to support these efforts are also addressed.
This document discusses how open data is changing Los Angeles. It outlines that open data benefits many industries including financial services, healthcare, communications, energy, charities, government, retail, insurance, manufacturing and technology. It also notes that open data in Los Angeles is being used by governments, developers, businesses, customers, suppliers, journalists and researchers. The document describes Los Angeles' open data governance strategy which includes opening data in useful ways, empowering citizens to use data, hosting hackathons and partnerships, building flexible infrastructure, developing analytics programs, and participating in open data initiatives.
Sarah Allen talks about her experience as a Presidential Innovation Fellow at the Smithsonian, then poses the question: why was Drupal a good fit for her project, and how did Ruby and Rails fall short?
2015 ODI Summit — Embracing Generation Open & Network Thinking — Gavin StarkstheODI
Over 700 people came to the ODI Summit from around the world to celebrate Generation Open — the innovators and entrepreneurs, citizens and customers, students and parents who embrace network thinking.
Gavin Starks, CEO of the Open Data Institute, presented on Embracing Generation Open & Network Thinking.
Firms, Collective Intelligence and Sustainability : MIT Crowds and Climate Co...Peter C. Evans, PhD
Can firms harness collective intelligence and advance sustainability goals? How large is the intersection between digital tools that permit expanding collaborative networks and reducing the time and cost of innovation?
These were some of the areas discussed at the Crowds and Climate conference held at MIT on November 6-8th organized by the MIT Center for Collective Intelligence.
Peter Evans, Vice President at Center for Global Enterprise, participated in a plenary panel with Nancy Pfund Founder and Managing Partner, DBL Investors and Otto Scharmer, Senior Lecturer, MIT; Founding Chair, Presencing Institute. Jason Jay, Director, MIT Sloan Sustainability Initiative served as the session moderator.
Evans’ presentation focused on the how firms can leverage the power of internal networks through the use of digital platform tools and crowdsourcing.
The AI Initiative aims to engage stakeholders to help shape global policy around addressing the challenges of developing and controlling artificial intelligence. Rapid improvements in machine learning, neuroscience, and high-performance computing are leading to new capabilities in AI that could benefit society but also pose risks. Both immediate and future actions are needed to ensure AI's promise is realized while managing its socio-political consequences, as computing systems are already outperforming humans in important tasks.
Data Driven Public Services - Mark Charmer, AkvoFutureGov
We build web and mobile tools that we run as a service to help address poverty issues. The Akvo team is headquartered in the Netherlands and consists of 38 people. Their tools aim to make knowledge more accessible, reporting more effective, and funding more transparent by moving field surveys from paper to digital. However, there are also risks such as tools being used for control rather than empowerment, big consultancies monopolizing the market, and advertising-based models corrupting public data projects over the long run. Developing an ethical framework for data practitioners worldwide is important to prevent abuse of those with less knowledge and skills.
Using Open Data to Transform Our CitiesIvan Begtin
The document discusses open government and open data. It defines open government as making government information and services accessible to the public through principles like transparency, citizen participation, and collaboration. Open data refers to non-private government data that is freely available for public use. The document advocates for open data and citizen involvement to create "open cities," where startups can use open data and real-time web services to develop applications that benefit the public and involve crowdsourcing community input. Challenges and opportunities around open sensor networks and engaging officials to support these efforts are also addressed.
This document discusses how open data is changing Los Angeles. It outlines that open data benefits many industries including financial services, healthcare, communications, energy, charities, government, retail, insurance, manufacturing and technology. It also notes that open data in Los Angeles is being used by governments, developers, businesses, customers, suppliers, journalists and researchers. The document describes Los Angeles' open data governance strategy which includes opening data in useful ways, empowering citizens to use data, hosting hackathons and partnerships, building flexible infrastructure, developing analytics programs, and participating in open data initiatives.
Sarah Allen talks about her experience as a Presidential Innovation Fellow at the Smithsonian, then poses the question: why was Drupal a good fit for her project, and how did Ruby and Rails fall short?
2015 ODI Summit — Embracing Generation Open & Network Thinking — Gavin StarkstheODI
Over 700 people came to the ODI Summit from around the world to celebrate Generation Open — the innovators and entrepreneurs, citizens and customers, students and parents who embrace network thinking.
Gavin Starks, CEO of the Open Data Institute, presented on Embracing Generation Open & Network Thinking.
Firms, Collective Intelligence and Sustainability : MIT Crowds and Climate Co...Peter C. Evans, PhD
Can firms harness collective intelligence and advance sustainability goals? How large is the intersection between digital tools that permit expanding collaborative networks and reducing the time and cost of innovation?
These were some of the areas discussed at the Crowds and Climate conference held at MIT on November 6-8th organized by the MIT Center for Collective Intelligence.
Peter Evans, Vice President at Center for Global Enterprise, participated in a plenary panel with Nancy Pfund Founder and Managing Partner, DBL Investors and Otto Scharmer, Senior Lecturer, MIT; Founding Chair, Presencing Institute. Jason Jay, Director, MIT Sloan Sustainability Initiative served as the session moderator.
Evans’ presentation focused on the how firms can leverage the power of internal networks through the use of digital platform tools and crowdsourcing.
How Data is Transforming Health and SocietyJeanne Holm
Open data refers to data that can be freely used, shared, and modified by anyone for any purpose. Many sectors benefit from open data including healthcare, financial services, government, and non-profits. Open data is estimated to create $3 trillion in economic growth annually in the US by powering innovation. The open data movement aims to provide transparency and allow people to make better decisions by democratizing access to data.
Data for Good: How Data is Transforming Business and SocietyJeanne Holm
From high tech to rural Uganda, the data that companies and governments share is being used around the world by all kinds of people to make life better.
About the ODI slides + notes for potential investors theODI
v2015-09-17
An overview of the ODI's vision, team, progress and ambition in slide and notes format, for use by any potential grant or project investors, or by those interested in the ODI and its plans.
Cloud and Big Data technologies are being one of the major core components for building modern web applications and distributed systems. Initially utilized by big tech giants like Microsoft, Facebook, Google, these technologies are now being a vital part of enterprise organizations, like bank, insurance, and telecommunication companies. Microsoft MVP Ashraf Alam, along with his peer engineers from different areas of software development industries would like to share their experience gained through building large scale systems.
This document discusses the industrial internet of things and how it will impact various areas. It covers topics such as how the internet of things will connect everything, how smart objects are built, and how the internet of things will change our relationship with the physical world. It also discusses how cities and urbanization will be impacted by integrating internet connectivity and sensors. The document presents perspectives from various experts and companies on trends in software, hardware, connectivity technologies and opportunities in the internet of things space.
World e-Parliament Conference 2016 - Closing SummaryAndy Williamson
This document summarizes reflections from the World e-Parliament Conference 2016. It discusses themes like the strategic use of ICT, data and documentation, openness and engagement, and web and social tools. Some key points are that ICT is critical for parliaments and requires strategic planning, open data and documentation standards create benefits, engagement helps make parliaments more open and involve citizens, and digital tools are transforming parliaments' work and relationships with the public. Challenges discussed include the skills needed for new technologies and ensuring all countries can participate.
Summary of a talk I did at Beyond The Smart City June 25th 2015 in Devon for the Devon Node of the ODI. It includes examples of some of the work we do at Visceral Business.
Slides from US Ignite Smart Gigabit Community lighting rounds. Part of the US Ignite Wednesday afternoon sessions at the 2017 Smart Cities Connect conference in Austin Texas.
NSF PI Meeting presentation on US Ignite - Nishal MohanUS-Ignite
The US Ignite Smart Gigabit Communities Program supports communities in developing and deploying next-generation applications and services to build foundations for smart communities. It provides opportunities, workshops, conferences and education to enable smart, connected communities. The program brings together municipalities, academia, foundations, entrepreneurs, investors and corporations to create innovation ecosystems. It aims to spur collaboration between universities and communities to apply research to local problems and pursue technology transfer.
Joe Macri, Microsoft Public Sector EMEA: City Next for Citizen FirstMicrosoft Österreich
The document discusses challenges and opportunities facing cities, including growing and aging populations, infrastructure issues, unemployment, and traffic congestion. It then provides examples of three cities - Barcelona, Sydney, and London - that have used technologies like cloud computing, mobile apps, and data analytics to address issues like service delivery, public safety, and mobility. Barcelona created a hybrid cloud solution to analyze big data and gain insights. Sydney adopted Office 365 to increase productivity and flexibility. London developed a mobile app to more efficiently report neighborhood crimes.
Presentation on the digital revolution reshaping the energy sector and the emerging platform leaders that are helping to drive this change. The presentation was given at the MIT Platform Strategy Summit, July 25, 2014, Cambridge MA, USA.
RFP announcement for new US Ignite Smart Gigabit Cities - Nishal MohanUS-Ignite
Presentation by US Ignite National Community Leader, Dr. Nishal Mohan on the RFP for new members of the Smart Gigabit Communities program. Part of the US Ignite Tuesday morning sessions at the 2017 Smart Cities Connect conference in Austin Texas.
Somerville Open Data Webinar, Presented 09-20-12Socrata
Can a smaller city use its data as a strategic platform to innovate and solve real-world problems? Find out by watching the presentation: http://www.socrata.com/events/view-webcast-small-town-big-vision/
I4ADA 2019 - Presentation Jacques Kruse BrandaoPaul van Heel
The document discusses the Charter of Trust, a collaborative initiative to improve cybersecurity. It outlines key global trends increasing cybersecurity risks like technological changes, workforce gaps, and growing threats. The Charter combines technology, politics, and business approaches to establish cybersecurity requirements and shape regulation. Signatories commit to principles like supply chain security, security by default, cybersecurity education, and harmonizing global regulation. The goal is to generate trust in digital transformation by embedding security in industry and policy.
Open Data & Open Government: Driving Innovation :: Jeff Kaplancgrowth
1) This document discusses open data and open government, and their potential to drive innovation and economic growth in emerging countries and the Caribbean region. Open data and networks of collaboration can create competitive advantages for countries.
2) Open data lowers the cost of creating apps and fuels an "apps economy" that has created over 450,000 jobs in the US. Open data initiatives could add tens of millions to some economies.
3) Open data and open government produce social and economic value by enabling citizen feedback to improve services, fueling industries like real estate, and sparking startups and new kinds of work.
Open Data Value Framework: Open Data's Four Pillars of ValueSocrata
McKinsey Global Institute estimates that government organizations together can generate $3 trillion dollars in value for themselves and their taxpayers through open data and information transparency initiatives.
Yes, that's a staggering number, but governments like yours are realizing pieces of it already. Are you taking advantage of the enormous economic and social impacts of information transparency?
Review these webinar slides to learn more about the four pillars of value that are reshaping how government thinks not only about open data, but how it's applied and leveraged to cut costs and significantly increase government efficiency.
In these slides you will learn:
-How to immediately start cutting costs and increasing operational efficiency
-How your peers have already implemented similar programs
-How to get get approval and get going quickly
Don't miss out on your piece of the $3 trillion windfall.
This document discusses how open data can fuel innovation both internally and externally for organizations like the US Census Bureau. It provides examples of how the Census Bureau's open data and APIs are being used by developers and communities to create applications and solutions. The document advocates for treating open government data as a product that can drive public sector innovation through platforms and ecosystems that bring together data producers and consumers.
The Open Data Institute (ODI) connects commercial, non-commercial, and government actors to address global challenges through the use of open data and a robust data infrastructure. The ODI works with sectors to identify how the web of data can impact businesses and the economy. It inspires innovation through various programs including training, startup acceleration, research, and events. The goal is to build a strong data infrastructure that enables open innovation on a global scale.
This document proposes a "People-Centered Internet" approach for future connectivity and ICT projects. It argues that focusing solely on technology implementation is insufficient, and that projects should track and improve human outcomes. Specifically, it recommends:
1. Collecting data and using closed-loop feedback to simultaneously benefit people and evaluate project effectiveness.
2. Applying techniques used by companies like Google and Amazon to optimize outcomes in other domains like healthcare, education, and supporting underserved populations globally.
3. Developing principles like universal access, affordability, privacy, and individual control to ensure data collection is accountable and beneficial.
The document discusses the digital transformation of government through platforms. It makes three key points:
1) The digital revolution is driving massive changes similar to the industrial revolution, with software disrupting many industries. Governments must innovate to keep up.
2) Platforms have become the dominant business model and governments should think of themselves as platforms - using open data and APIs, building their own platforms, and embracing new development methods.
3) A new vision is needed where governments create value by embracing digital tools, working with innovators, and developing open digital commons and services through continuous improvement. This will require a new culture of openness, participation, and delivery of public services.
How Data is Transforming Health and SocietyJeanne Holm
Open data refers to data that can be freely used, shared, and modified by anyone for any purpose. Many sectors benefit from open data including healthcare, financial services, government, and non-profits. Open data is estimated to create $3 trillion in economic growth annually in the US by powering innovation. The open data movement aims to provide transparency and allow people to make better decisions by democratizing access to data.
Data for Good: How Data is Transforming Business and SocietyJeanne Holm
From high tech to rural Uganda, the data that companies and governments share is being used around the world by all kinds of people to make life better.
About the ODI slides + notes for potential investors theODI
v2015-09-17
An overview of the ODI's vision, team, progress and ambition in slide and notes format, for use by any potential grant or project investors, or by those interested in the ODI and its plans.
Cloud and Big Data technologies are being one of the major core components for building modern web applications and distributed systems. Initially utilized by big tech giants like Microsoft, Facebook, Google, these technologies are now being a vital part of enterprise organizations, like bank, insurance, and telecommunication companies. Microsoft MVP Ashraf Alam, along with his peer engineers from different areas of software development industries would like to share their experience gained through building large scale systems.
This document discusses the industrial internet of things and how it will impact various areas. It covers topics such as how the internet of things will connect everything, how smart objects are built, and how the internet of things will change our relationship with the physical world. It also discusses how cities and urbanization will be impacted by integrating internet connectivity and sensors. The document presents perspectives from various experts and companies on trends in software, hardware, connectivity technologies and opportunities in the internet of things space.
World e-Parliament Conference 2016 - Closing SummaryAndy Williamson
This document summarizes reflections from the World e-Parliament Conference 2016. It discusses themes like the strategic use of ICT, data and documentation, openness and engagement, and web and social tools. Some key points are that ICT is critical for parliaments and requires strategic planning, open data and documentation standards create benefits, engagement helps make parliaments more open and involve citizens, and digital tools are transforming parliaments' work and relationships with the public. Challenges discussed include the skills needed for new technologies and ensuring all countries can participate.
Summary of a talk I did at Beyond The Smart City June 25th 2015 in Devon for the Devon Node of the ODI. It includes examples of some of the work we do at Visceral Business.
Slides from US Ignite Smart Gigabit Community lighting rounds. Part of the US Ignite Wednesday afternoon sessions at the 2017 Smart Cities Connect conference in Austin Texas.
NSF PI Meeting presentation on US Ignite - Nishal MohanUS-Ignite
The US Ignite Smart Gigabit Communities Program supports communities in developing and deploying next-generation applications and services to build foundations for smart communities. It provides opportunities, workshops, conferences and education to enable smart, connected communities. The program brings together municipalities, academia, foundations, entrepreneurs, investors and corporations to create innovation ecosystems. It aims to spur collaboration between universities and communities to apply research to local problems and pursue technology transfer.
Joe Macri, Microsoft Public Sector EMEA: City Next for Citizen FirstMicrosoft Österreich
The document discusses challenges and opportunities facing cities, including growing and aging populations, infrastructure issues, unemployment, and traffic congestion. It then provides examples of three cities - Barcelona, Sydney, and London - that have used technologies like cloud computing, mobile apps, and data analytics to address issues like service delivery, public safety, and mobility. Barcelona created a hybrid cloud solution to analyze big data and gain insights. Sydney adopted Office 365 to increase productivity and flexibility. London developed a mobile app to more efficiently report neighborhood crimes.
Presentation on the digital revolution reshaping the energy sector and the emerging platform leaders that are helping to drive this change. The presentation was given at the MIT Platform Strategy Summit, July 25, 2014, Cambridge MA, USA.
RFP announcement for new US Ignite Smart Gigabit Cities - Nishal MohanUS-Ignite
Presentation by US Ignite National Community Leader, Dr. Nishal Mohan on the RFP for new members of the Smart Gigabit Communities program. Part of the US Ignite Tuesday morning sessions at the 2017 Smart Cities Connect conference in Austin Texas.
Somerville Open Data Webinar, Presented 09-20-12Socrata
Can a smaller city use its data as a strategic platform to innovate and solve real-world problems? Find out by watching the presentation: http://www.socrata.com/events/view-webcast-small-town-big-vision/
I4ADA 2019 - Presentation Jacques Kruse BrandaoPaul van Heel
The document discusses the Charter of Trust, a collaborative initiative to improve cybersecurity. It outlines key global trends increasing cybersecurity risks like technological changes, workforce gaps, and growing threats. The Charter combines technology, politics, and business approaches to establish cybersecurity requirements and shape regulation. Signatories commit to principles like supply chain security, security by default, cybersecurity education, and harmonizing global regulation. The goal is to generate trust in digital transformation by embedding security in industry and policy.
Open Data & Open Government: Driving Innovation :: Jeff Kaplancgrowth
1) This document discusses open data and open government, and their potential to drive innovation and economic growth in emerging countries and the Caribbean region. Open data and networks of collaboration can create competitive advantages for countries.
2) Open data lowers the cost of creating apps and fuels an "apps economy" that has created over 450,000 jobs in the US. Open data initiatives could add tens of millions to some economies.
3) Open data and open government produce social and economic value by enabling citizen feedback to improve services, fueling industries like real estate, and sparking startups and new kinds of work.
Open Data Value Framework: Open Data's Four Pillars of ValueSocrata
McKinsey Global Institute estimates that government organizations together can generate $3 trillion dollars in value for themselves and their taxpayers through open data and information transparency initiatives.
Yes, that's a staggering number, but governments like yours are realizing pieces of it already. Are you taking advantage of the enormous economic and social impacts of information transparency?
Review these webinar slides to learn more about the four pillars of value that are reshaping how government thinks not only about open data, but how it's applied and leveraged to cut costs and significantly increase government efficiency.
In these slides you will learn:
-How to immediately start cutting costs and increasing operational efficiency
-How your peers have already implemented similar programs
-How to get get approval and get going quickly
Don't miss out on your piece of the $3 trillion windfall.
This document discusses how open data can fuel innovation both internally and externally for organizations like the US Census Bureau. It provides examples of how the Census Bureau's open data and APIs are being used by developers and communities to create applications and solutions. The document advocates for treating open government data as a product that can drive public sector innovation through platforms and ecosystems that bring together data producers and consumers.
The Open Data Institute (ODI) connects commercial, non-commercial, and government actors to address global challenges through the use of open data and a robust data infrastructure. The ODI works with sectors to identify how the web of data can impact businesses and the economy. It inspires innovation through various programs including training, startup acceleration, research, and events. The goal is to build a strong data infrastructure that enables open innovation on a global scale.
This document proposes a "People-Centered Internet" approach for future connectivity and ICT projects. It argues that focusing solely on technology implementation is insufficient, and that projects should track and improve human outcomes. Specifically, it recommends:
1. Collecting data and using closed-loop feedback to simultaneously benefit people and evaluate project effectiveness.
2. Applying techniques used by companies like Google and Amazon to optimize outcomes in other domains like healthcare, education, and supporting underserved populations globally.
3. Developing principles like universal access, affordability, privacy, and individual control to ensure data collection is accountable and beneficial.
The document discusses the digital transformation of government through platforms. It makes three key points:
1) The digital revolution is driving massive changes similar to the industrial revolution, with software disrupting many industries. Governments must innovate to keep up.
2) Platforms have become the dominant business model and governments should think of themselves as platforms - using open data and APIs, building their own platforms, and embracing new development methods.
3) A new vision is needed where governments create value by embracing digital tools, working with innovators, and developing open digital commons and services through continuous improvement. This will require a new culture of openness, participation, and delivery of public services.
Presentation given at Holyrood Connect Data Forum on 27 September 2016.
Approximate words are here: https://medium.com/@peterkwells/an-open-city-is-a-better-city-57e26a23d281#.pxxroe96b
Presentation to Civil Society at the University of the West Indies, Port of Spain, Trinidad on 28 February 2015 by the World Bank to civil society representatives including those from the Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society
Open and Proprietary Data Economies in Malaysia: The Consumption PerspectiveSandra Hanchard
BIG DATA MALAYSIA @ Open Government Partnership Seminar and Exhibition
Sandra Hanchard
Kuala Lumpur, 18 August 2015
http://ideas.org.my/events/18-august-2015-open-government-partnership-seminar-and-exhibition/
Strategic use of digital information in Government - Rwanda-CMU-2014Rajiv Ranjan
Guest talk at Carnegie Mellon University in Rwanda on Strategic use of digital information in Government delivered on October 23, 2014 to the students of M.S. in Information Technology [Strategic use of digital information in enterprises]
This document discusses the challenges facing IT departments in adapting to new technologies and rising user expectations in the mobile-cloud era. It notes that citizens and government employees now expect access to applications and data from any device. However, IT departments face budget constraints, legacy systems, skills shortages, and increasing security threats from cybercrime. The document examines the strategic options available to IT, such as providing mobile access, using data-driven security, building a hybrid cloud infrastructure, and adopting agile development practices. It emphasizes that IT departments must develop transformation strategies, enable technology changes, and become operationally agile in order to adapt successfully to this new environment.
Presentation to UK Central Government describing how trends in Digital Enterprise will impact governments around the world. At the heart is information with process and collaboration driving innovation and service to citizens and stakeholders.
Where does Data Democracy begin? [Segment-Synapse, 2019]aj_cache
This document discusses the concept of "data democracy" and how one company, Sun Basket, implemented it. Data democracy means empowering citizens and employees with access to data, tools, and analysis methods to independently access the value of their data. Sun Basket implemented data democracy by creating central data platforms and pipelines, embedding measurement into product design, and training employees to self-serve data analysis through accessible tools. This distributed analysis while maintaining central metrics. Risks like duplication, divergence and misinterpretation were mitigated through peer review and clear prioritization of metrics.
This document discusses open data and e-government initiatives in Ukraine led by the nonprofit SocialBoost. SocialBoost has organized numerous hackathons around Ukraine to develop apps using open government data. Through these events, they have helped create over 10 apps, engaged over 800 volunteers, and launched national open data and e-government portals. SocialBoost also works with the government to identify high-demand public services that can be converted to digital services using an API-based approach. Their goal is to promote open data and e-government through civic engagement and public-private partnerships to develop useful digital services for citizens.
Leveraging Data to Engage Citizens and Drive InnovationThomas Robbins
Socrata helps public sector organizations improve transparency, citizen service, and data-driven decision-making using Open Data. Our user-friendly solutions deliver data to governments trying to reduce costs, to citizens who want to understand how their tax dollars are used, and to civic hackers dedicated to creating new apps and improving services.
Ivonne Jansen presented on apps challenges and their impact. Some key points:
- Apps challenges can produce many apps but require significant effort and cost to run. It is debated whether the value created is worth the cost.
- Challenges aim to create both economic and social value, engaging citizens, developers, and governments. However, both challenges and open data come with risks around privacy, data quality, and infrastructure that must be addressed.
- When done well, challenges can spur innovation, new combinations of data, and increased engagement and involvement of citizens with their government.
Similar to City of Nanaimo's Open Data Strategy (20)
14. Open Data Principles Open and free access to raw data Search engine optimized publishing Citizen involvement Open APIs
15. Open and free access to raw data “ In the 21st century, data is at the heart of economic activity; it is what drives innovation, efficiencies and productivity. ” - David Eaves
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18. Search engine optimized publishing “ Findablilty precedes usability. In the alphabet and on the Web. You can't use what you can't find. ” - Peter Morville
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23. Citizen involvement “ When the people become involved in their government, government becomes more accountable, and our society is stronger, more compassionate, and better prepared for the challenges of the future. ” - Arnold Schwarzenegger
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28. Open APIs “ Standard setting, pilot programs; government providing enabling technologies for citizens to serve themselves. ” - Tim O’Reilly
I’m here today to talk about Nanaimo’s Open Data Strategy.First I’m going to talk about the Problem we are facing, the strategy we’ve implemented, and then talk a bit about the results.
Back in the stone-age of the internet (early 90s)…when it was just a foreign and potentially useful tool, Nanaimo was one of the first cities in Canada to offer a municipal website providing information and services over the internet.
Over the subsequent years, we gradually evolved these services, adapting to new technologies based on experience and feedback. By the end of 2007, it had become clear that, despite our continual evolution, we had failed to account for a sea change in the way that the public interacts with technology.
businesses have moved towards a more data-driven decision making approach, using tools like GIS and CAD for planning and operations.
Previously people would use search engines to find the site that they wanted and then have to navigate that site to find the information that they needed. Over time the search engines became more intelligent, providing answers to more and more specific queries.
Commercial websites quickly took advantage of this, restructuring themselves to return actionable results, allowing customers to purchase individual products or services on the first page that they come to. In sort of a “survival of the fittest”, businesses compete with each other to make their sites and products more easy to find, and people became used to finding the specific information they wanted with basically one click.
But when trying to find government information they feel like they are back in the stone-ages.This affects each of our target audiences in different ways.
For businesses, interacting with government is often seen as a source of friction. Actually obtaining information can require on-site visits which are time consuming and inconvenient, or it requires the expertise to find the data in specialized applications on local government websites. Both of which can be incredibly frustrating. Person to person interactions are often required.This is costly to both the local business and the local government in terms of time and often service fees.
Individual citizens suffer many of the same frustrations and inefficiencies. Local governments are the authoritative source of a lot of information that is relevant to day to day life, Garbage CalendarsPool schedulesService organization lists, and so on…but this information is not always easily discoverable on the web.Citizens end up either having to interact directly with City staff Or getting the information from more easily findable 3rd-party sources, which are often inaccurate or biased.At the same time, citizens often have expert local knowledge and a willingness to improve their communities, but are not given the opportunity to contribute to local government operations and initiatives.
Potential visitors are another group of people to consider. When researching travel options, they are often looking for information that we are in an excellent position to provide. Every time somebody is unable to easily find this information, it’s a lost opportunity for us to showcase our communities.
Over the last couple of years we have identified 4 open data principles that allow us to address these problems and narrow the gap between citizen expectations and our service delivery.
We have a history of making our information available through web applications like building permit searches, online mapping and google earth. Raw data downloads are an extension of this tradition, taking information that we already have and allowing people to access it in its native format.Thisreduces over the counter requests for information,and allows businesses and residents to integrate municipal information into their decision support systems.
Open Data Catalog is a central location that provides pointers to our existing data sources.Citizens are able to search for Nanaimo Data on web.This was modelled after the US Governments Data.gov site and it cost us nothing, and was created in just a few days.
Another example is our Engineering GIS Data. The public can download our core cadastral and infrastructure data at no cost.This provides local builders and developers with a framework that allows them to perform initial suitability analyses with far fewer resources than having to collect the data themselves.
The idea here is to make information findable and indexable by search engines by publishing each object or record as a webpage.
An example of this is our Public Art Inventory. We have a traditional web application on our website that showcases public art in Nanaimo. People are able to browse art pieces, or search by location, artist, category, keywords, etc to find what they are looking for.However, if someone happens to be walking through the park, and sees a statue that they would like to know more about, they can just type the name of the statue into Google and access the same information without having to go to our website, navigate to the public art inventory application (if they even know it exists) , and perform a search to find the statue. They get to bypass the web app altogether.
Access the same info regardless of how they got there.Individual art pieces and specific search results are available in a downloadable formats.
Another example is our Business Licence Search.Residents can find information on all business licences in the city directly from search engines.Or, similar to the Public Art Inventory, there is also a traditional web app that can be used to perform advanced queries if they are interested in specific categories of businesses.We recently redeveloped this web app and this search engine optimized publishing was integral to the redevelopment, and there were no additional costs.
When we developed NanaimoMap, We took the opportunity to create search engine optimized property reports.This allows individuals to access zoning and property information for every address in Nanaimo, but just typing the address in a search enginewithout having to find their way through our web apps. GeoREST (free and open source), no extra programming required to do this!
The idea here is to get individuals more active in contributing and enhancing their communities
A great example of this was the Google Model Your Town Competition.City Planners had been using 3D modeling tools on project specific basis, but coverage was incomplete and internally developed models often only included the facade required for street level visualization. This meant that for most projects they had to perform a considerable amount of additional modeling.When Google announced the model your town competition, Nanaimo’s planning department saw an opportunity to both raise the profile of Nanaimo’s downtown and enhance planning capabilities and efficiency.This project took advantage of the genuine desire of our citizens to better our community. We provided training and the opportunity to build 3-D models of downtown buildings and they picked up the reigns and ran with it.We started with 30 models… and had 126 by the end of the competition.
This allowed us to showcase our community in Google Earth where it’s available to everyone. And also in the short term, allowed us to take advantage of the media attention around the competition both in traditional press and in social media such as youtube.It also built local competencies with technology, and one of the citizens involved has gone on to form a business around providing 3-d modelling services.
Our council meetings are broadcast live on our website, and then archived allowing citizens to access these meetings from their computers, wherever they may be.Between 5 and 30 people attend the meetings. There is small group of regular attendees and then others who attend due to a specific topic. Current statistics show between 10 and 20 people watching the live stream and between 50 and 200 people watching the recorded meeting the following day. Implementation of the Live streaming has increased the number of people who are able to view our council meetings by about 10 fold.This application includes the ability to share and post desired sections to facebook and twitter. We have notice that a number of citizens have used these features to share their presentations with others who might be interested.The entire cost of implementing this was $2100 in COTS and one month development.
Facebookhas been a great tool to improve our interaction with the community. It makes our communications with residents more immediate and collaborative. Conversations that would have previously been held one-on-one, if at all, are now visible for all to see and participate in. We get immediate feedback on the information we provide and often citizens share information with each other about events and activities.
This component of open data sharing is still in fairly primitive stages, there are no standards for consistency in data APIs, ontologies, or other areas that would allow developers to write applications which work against multiple jurisdiction’s APIs with minimal effort.
It’s basically sending a complex query through a Standard API to get Machine Readable Results in return.
There are several initiatives which seem to be gaining some traction, but we’re still in the stone age of open data APIs and will need to pay attention as this area evolves to make sure that we continue to meet our residents needs in ways that work best for them. This is an important principle, but standards of practice have not yet matured.
The beauty of theseopen data best practices is that they incur little, if any additional cost. When we apply these principles during the development of new services or when existing services require enhancements, we are able to radically improve access to the city’s data over time with little overhead.
Professionals and businesses experience increased efficiency in their operations. Easily accessible data enables better and faster decisions to be made, which enhances local economy and that benefits the community as a whole.
Individuals are able to search and receive information at their fingertips, saving valuable time by eliminating the need for person-to-person contact and reducing frustration
Potential visitors are able to find out more about our community’s unique culture and natural attractions, and make better informed decisions when choosing a destination. (The obvious choice is Nanaimo).
These principles are easily transferable to any local government. Low cost and easy to implement incrementally. We believe that the benefits are clear and we are happy to work with others in implementing similar strategy. So if you have any questions you are welcome to contact us, or come and find me this week. Also, for those using the same technologies as us (so that would be mainly Microsoft... asp.net, sql server) we are committed to sharing our internally developed applications and code bases.
As for the future, hopefully as we all continue on this evolutionary path of open data, the possibilities are exciting and perhaps unexpected!Thanks very much for listening, feel free to contact us or come and find me if you are interested.