City data catalogs are fast moving from the exception to the norm for large U.S. cities.
Washington, DC's Data Catalog, spearheaded by former CTO Vivek Kundra, was an early leader. The site combines hundreds of static government-created datasets from across DC government with administrative feeds like the city's 311 system. Their site emphasizes providing data in multiple formats, including where possible formats that don't require proprietary software. Kundra's selection as the nation's first Chief Information Officer, and launch of the federal government's Data.gov has elevated the principle among the federal government's vast datasets. DC's two "apps" contests sought to encourage creative uses of the data made available, and some of which are available at the DC App Store.
Beyond DC, many big cities have recently launched or are planning open data catalogs of their own.
Technology
Simulating Mount Rushmore
Experts from heritage group Historic Scotland have developed a technique using lasers to create precise digital representations of enormous sites. Mount Rushmore is the next location to be captured.
The New York Times
Hearing Acoustics Before The Building Is Built
A new computer modeling technique called "auralization" does just that, turning architectural drawings into simulated spaces.
ArchiTech
Parcel Map Data Added To Google Maps
GIS folks are Twittering about this new addition to Google Maps. Blogger Joe Francia talks to Michael Jones, Google's chief technology advocate, about what the new data means, and where it's coming from.
All Points Blog
Smart Cities May Bite Back
Benches that dump you for sitting too long, trash cans that spit your recyclables back out- will the Sentient City lack empathy?
BBC News
Open Data: Coming to a City Near You?
Mon, 10/19/2009 - 16:37
From Memories to Master Plans
Maine mill town asks citizens to record their memories at downtown "Heart Spots" as part of the master planning process.
The Journal Tribune
Atlanta To Map Itself
A group of 200 volunteers with GPS devices will walk the streets of Atlanta this weekend to create a community-owned map of the city and its intricate details.
BBC
Developing the Open City
New communication and interaction technologies are dramatically changing the way the public understands and participates in government. The emerging openness of data and information at the city level is broadening the urban policy conversation, but challenges and questions lie ahead as the open city develops.
Citizen-Activated Adaptive Urban Spaces
The availability of information in the city is creating a new opportunity for adaptive and interactive urban spaces. As Carlo Ratti of MIT's SENSEable City Lab discusses, the key is people.
Wired UK
Future Transport Today
This article from Wired UK looks at a handful of emerging transportation concept technologies that are altering the form of the city.
Wired UK
Bush DOT Secretary Gives Her Two Cents
Mary Peters, Secretary of Transportation from 2006-2008, gives her opinion on where transportation funding should go. Better technology is high on her list.
National Journal Online
Municipal Vaporware: Why NYC's Data Mine is A Data Dump
Tue, 10/06/2009 - 10:55
This morning, Mayor Mike Bloomberg unveiled New York City's long-awaited Big Apps contest. Big Apps seeks to promote the Internet industry in the Big Apple (it's sponsored by the New York City Economic Development Corporation) and make local government more transparent.
I've been following the evolution of open data initiatives at the municipal level for about a year now, and was really hoping that New York was going to set the bar for future efforts across the country. It doesn't. In fact it's hard to understand why some notable local tech superstars like investors Fred Wilson and John Borthwick would sign on to such a lame effort.
Toll Road Fiasco in Ohio
Last week, the Ohio Turnpike debuted its E-Z Pass toll system -- with disastrous results, says TollRoadsNews.
TOLLROADSnews
Track Your Bus With Mobile Devices
Writer Ellen Perlman heads to Washington, D.C. to use the new "Where's My Bus?" mobile tracking.
Governing Magazine
Wanted: Better Tools for Climate Modeling and Land Use
Anthony Flint makes the case for the great need for tools that can connect urban planning strategies and climate change effects.
Citiwire.net
Chance of Rain: 0%
To celebrate the Republic of China's 60th anniversary, a huge party was planned. A huge effort was also undertaken to scientifically make sure no bad weather would spoil the event.
The New York Times
Small Town History on a Cell Phone
A two-minute call on a cell phone is now a window into local history in Orange, New Jersey, where a new project has created an audio tour/history lesson out of more than 30 recordings of local residents.
The New Jersey Star-Ledger
