The New 'Public Life Data Protocol' Aims to Revolutionize Public Life

The Gehl Institute, working with the municipality of Copenhagen and the city of San Francisco has released a new Public Life Data Protocol designed to "make public life datasets more compatible, scalable, and comparable across departments, agencies, cities, and regions," according to an article on the Gehl Institute website.

"The protocol will be open for any and all to use, and will create a common language for cities to compare different spaces within their city limits, and to then compare their data with other cities," according to the Gehl Institute website. "It ensures a high level of quality and accuracy while enabling more people to collect, share, and compare their data."

In a press release [pdf] connected to the new Protocal's launch, a soundbite from Gehl Institute Executive Director Shin-pei Tsay says that engineers can no longer make the excuse of not having data about people when making decisions about the public realm.

Rachel Dovey reported on the new Public Life Data Protocol when the Gehl Institute announced a beta version in September.