Open Data, a tale of the city

Data as both a tool for accountability and a source of innovation is used by Martin Prosperity Institute in a recent article: Open Data, Open City. There is an associated longer report (PDF).

Open data is both a philosophy and a practice. Municipalities collect extensive data about the city and its residents, and the practice of freely sharing this data online is gaining ground in cities across the country and around the world. Vancouver and Washington, D.C. both have official open data poli- cies, and many other cities are launching their own open data initiatives. “Data” here means every- thing from statistics to address lists and recycling schedules, from information on election results by riding, to the locations of schools or streetlamps. Since such information is important for both the governance and understanding of a city, a clear policy on how that data is stored, used, and presented to the public is necessary.

(emphasis is mine) A graph is included in the report to symbolize the value of Open Data and its relationship to citizens.

Open Data for the city from the source to the people

The conclusion emphasizes on articles I have been writing recently about Open Data.

Open data can enhance the relationship between the city and its citizens by sharing what it collects, and in return the citizens can offer value to the city by taking the time to create tools the city hasn’t the time or budget to build. Bringing a sense of cooperation that is necessary for a healthy and pro- gressive future, open data initiatives make cities and their citizens partners in growth and innovation.