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

The Gehl Institute, working with several public sector partners, has released an open source "Public Life Data Protocol."

1 minute read

November 7, 2017, 5:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


San Francisco Parklet

San Francisco Planning Department / Flickr

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.

Friday, October 20, 2017 in Gehl Institute

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Regeneration of contaminated industrial land used for waste dumping, West Midlands, UK, 2006 .

EPA Awards $267 Million to Clean Up and Reuse Contaminated Sites

The EPA is investing the funds to clean up and redevelop contaminated sites nationwide, supporting economic growth, community revitalization, and environmental restoration.

May 18 - Environmental Protection

Archway made of bikes in Knoxville, Tennessee over Tennessee River.

Knoxville Dedicates $1M to New Greenway

The proposed greenway would run along North Broadway and connect to 125 miles of existing trails.

May 18 - WATE

25mph speed limit sign with digital "Your Speed" sign below it.

Philadelphia Launches ‘Speed Slots’ Traffic Calming Pilot

The project focuses on a 1.4-mile stretch of Lincoln Drive where cars frequently drive above the posted speed limit.

May 18 - WHYY