This document summarizes a presentation on open government data initiatives in Zurich, Switzerland. It discusses Zurich's efforts to implement open data starting in 2012, the challenges faced, and future plans. Specifically, it notes that while Zurich established an open data portal and published over 200 datasets, real impact and use of the data has been limited. Barriers include apathy among data providers and concerns over privacy and legal issues. Moving forward, Zurich aims to expand its open data program through consolidating resources, publishing more datasets by default, upgrading technology, and increasing community engagement through events.

1. Open Data Zürich
@OpenDataZurichwww.stadt-zuerich.ch/opendata
Working Group 3 Meeting, ENERGIC
- Volunteered Geographic Information
Reto Wick
Open Data Specialist, Statistik Stadt Zürich
26 May 2014

2. © Amt für Städtebau
1. OPEN DATA STADT ZÜRICH
Open Government Data
ENERGIC Meeting @ GIUZ

3. Open Data Zürich 26.05.2014, Seite 3
OPEN GOVERNMENT DATA MOVEMENT
• Timeline
2009 United States
2010 United Kingdom
2011 European Union
06/2012 Stadt Zürich
09/2013 Federal Government
10/2013 Canton of Zurich
 today more than 50 countries run their own OGD initiatives

4. Open Data Zürich 26.05.2014, Seite 4
OGD IN ZURICH
• Legislation Agenda Focus eZürich
• Zurich strives to be one of the world‘s
leading cities in ICT, where advanced
infrastructure enables creative solutions
and new trends
• City Council mandates Statistik Stadt
Zürich (SSZ) to implement OGD policy
• SSZ creates OGD portal and publishes 30
datasets
• Nothing really happens …

5. Open Data Zürich 26.05.2014, Seite 5
OGD IN ZURICH
• Legislation Agenda Focus eZürich
• Zurich strives to be one of the world‘s
leading cities in ICT, where advanced
infrastructure enables creative solutions
and new trends
• City Council mandates Statistik Stadt
Zürich (SSZ) to establish OGD processes
• SSZ creates OGD portal and publishes 90
datasets
• Nothing really happens…

6. Open Data Zürich 26.05.2014, Seite 6
OGD IN ZURICH
• OGD Portal
• 200 datasets (98 with spatial content – shp, wms, wfs, kml, geojson)
0
50
100
150
200
250
01/13
02/13
03/13
04/13
05/13
06/13
07/13
08/13
09/13
10/13
11/13
12/13
01/14
02/14
03/14
04/14
Number of Datasets on OGD Portal
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
01/13
02/13
03/13
04/13
05/13
06/13
07/13
08/13
09/13
10/13
11/13
12/13
01/14
02/14
03/14
04/14
Number of Applications

7. Open Data Zürich 26.05.2014, Seite 7
OGD-PORTAL – DATASET SELECTION

8. Open Data Zürich 26.05.2014, Seite 8
DATA INTEGRATION
• Combination of spatial and thematic data
• Unique identifiers (indices and numbers) for spatial entities
(city circles, districts, parcels)
• Extensive metadata facilitates processes
• Use of names as unique identifiers can be problematic
 contrasting official and commonly used notations

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2. DAILY DIFFICULTIES
Open Government Data
ENERGIC Meeting @ GIUZ

10. Open Data Zürich 26.05.2014, Seite 10
EXCUSES
• Reasons not to release data
• Apathy / Confusion
„you mean people are really interested in this?“
„how would someone even use that kind of data!“
• Rage against the bureaucracy
„there will be unending data releases!“
„we don‘t have time!“
• Staff Concerns
„my boss hasn‘t told me to and you‘re not my boss!“
„we don‘t have anyone who knows how to do that.“
• Heavy Hitters (Legality, Security, Privacy)
„it‘s not classified, but we don‘t think it would be good PR for us.“
„people don‘t understand my data!“
http://sunlightfoundation.com

11. Open Data Zürich 26.05.2014, Seite 11
CONCLUSIONS
• It‘s just the beginning
• Need for a lot of grassroot activity
• We still need pressure from the top
• Still a few very old-fashioned decision-makers
 „Clash of the generations“

12. Open Data Zürich 26.05.2014, Seite 12
OPEN DATA THEORY VS. REALITY
• Innovation boost
 beneficial to economy and society
• Cost effectiveness
 multiple use of datasets
• Transparency
 free access to governmental data and information
• Participation and cooperation
 people get the chance to participate in public decision
making process

13. Open Data Zürich 26.05.2014, Seite 13
OPEN DATA THEORY VS. REALITY (OUR VIEW)
• Innovation boost
 beneficial to economy and society
• Cost effectiveness
 multiple use of datasets
• Transparency
 free access to governmental data and information
• Participation and cooperation
 people get the chance to participate in public decision
making process

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3. FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
Open Government Data
Energic Meeting @ GIUZ

15. Open Data Zürich 26.05.2014, Seite 15
ONGOING PROJECTS 2014
• Organisation
• Consolidate the OGD team for 2014
• «OGD by default»
• Data
• Widening of the datasets provided
• Technology
• Implementation of CKAN in the city administration
• Community
• Intensify community building
• Organise hackdays, regular‘s tables, data talks, etc.

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4. QUESTIONS
Open Government Data
ENERGIC Meeting @ GIUZ