This document discusses open data initiatives in several major European cities. It provides examples of open data projects in Hamburg, Trier, Boston, Berlin and Helsinki that focus on transparency, citizen participation, and economic development. The document outlines common strategies employed, including having a clear focus area, standards for data quality and formats, and tools for collaboration. Key barriers mentioned include inter-organizational challenges and resistance to change. The conclusion states that open data is a key part of creating smart cities.

1. Marseille Open Data Garage
By Giorgio Prister
President
Major Cities of Europe
July 6, 2011
http://www.majorcities.eu

2. Major Cities of Europe: who we are
• The European network of Local Government CIOs
• Members are innovative cities leveraging ICT as driver
of innovation
• Our mission: Knowledge and experience sharing
– Workshops
– Annual conference
– Knowledge base
– …
http://www.majorcities.eu

3. Examples of Open Data across Europe
Hamburg, Trier… Transparency and
participation
– Public discussion of the annual budget expenses,
investments, incomes
– Publication, discussion, decisions
Boston … Collaboration of citizens and
enterprises
– “New urban mechanics”
• Co-creation / crowdsourcing
– “Citizen Connect”
• “citizens as sensors”
• “citizens as communicators”.
• “citizens as solvers”
http://www.majorcities.eu

4. Berlin: Citizens participation
– On line survey in 2010
• Priorities?
• Key themes?
• Innovative ideas on open data utilization
• Ideas generation
• > than 1000 citizens participation
– Main themes selected
• Urban Planning
• Public Administration services
• Environmental control
• Cty Infrastructures
– Published significant amount of Publics data on line
– Apps City contest: APPS4BELIN
• students, companies, researchers, associations
• 40% of APPS developed by companies
• 72 APPS admitted - 15 awarded.
• City community involved
• marketing and communication
• importance of crowdsourcing
http://www.majorcities.eu

5. Helsinki: Economic development –
World City of Design 2012
Helsinki Region Infoshare – pilot 2011 – operational 2012
– Public data from all players in the region
– Cooperation Region ,Citizens, enterprises
– New services, New business
ICT infrastructure as base of the project:
From data generation
To the data clearing house
To the data distribution to users
Some applications:
City services based on geo- representation
Public transport services,
Public library services
Services for cyclists …
Helsinki World Design Capital 2012.
Improve public and social services in the region
Helsinki international city in which to establish for new business
Focus on sustainability
http://www.majorcities.eu

6. Barcelona: a wide scope initiative:
> 200 open data sets on line
– Transparency and citizens participation
• Decisions about initiatives and problems of the city
– Economic development: new services & new business
ICT Infrastructure dedicated to Open Data
Tools for participation,
Tools for transparency
Tools for collaboration
Tools for geo localization
Internet of Things platform
Traffic
Environment
Security…
Standards definition
data,
quality
Updating frequency
maintenance
Business plan,
Costs, return of the investment
http://www.majorcities.eu

7. …what is there in common among these cases?
A clear strategy
• Focus on priority areas
• Start simple in few areas with high impact
• Involvement and push vs. public and private players
Collaboration
Communication,
Marketing,
Surveys ,
Contests,
Pilot projects
Focus on interoperability and application cooperation
public
public-private
private
Ecosystem in particular with SMEs
Need of a business plan
Return of the investment
Costs,
http://www.majorcities.eu

8. … and what about ICT technologies?
Need of an Open Data platform,
Data Standards
Format
Data quality
Updating frequency
….
Data easy to read and easy to understand
Data in electronic processing format ready
Geo localization
Business intelligence tools,
Tools for cooperation and participation (web
2.0)
etc…
http://www.majorcities.eu

9. …what are the main barriers?
Mainly human:
– teamwork
– different public and private organizations
– resistance to change,
– risk averse
– privacy
– Laws, regulations and habits,
– Who owns the data?,
– Free vs. fee
– etc..
http://www.majorcities.eu

10. Conclusion
Open Data is the key ingredient
of a Smart City
http://www.majorcities.eu