Content about Trends

The concept of data-driven storytelling is now “on the map.” Geospatial data, or simply data concerning a place, is now collected in real time. When geospatial data is animated, we get an interactive visualization that is impressive and can be even more powerful than static data. Andy Kirk, a UK-based data visualization expert, emphasizes that when you plot data onto “the scenery of a map and then create a shifting window into the scene through the sequence of time, you create a data-driven story.”

A couple of weeks ago, I was able to attend the 2012 Where Conference, held in San Fransisco, California, and I am pleased to say that this year’s event surpassed all of my expectations. For those of you not familiar with this conference, the annual event features the latest and greatest in location-based social applications, mapping technology, and innovative GIS related public engagement best practices. While many of the presentations at this year’s Where Conference focused on leveraging location-based social media apps installed on our smart phones and tablets, it was the presentations about creating compelling stories about place and space that caught my attention as they relate specifically to public involvement, which can provide planners with some very useful resources in citizen engagement. Overall, I would say that “doing GIS” is getting easier.

From the point of view of city planners, ICT leaders, city engineers and analysts today, Smart City initiatives can hit roadblocks and come up against obstacles to their realization. It is especially obvious that technology alone cannot adequately fix our urban problems. In short, it might be said that the one thing missing from “intelligent city” projects is the people who reside there.

When you think of the most democratic place in your neighborhood where resources are universally available, does one government entity immediately come to mind?

For the first time the Ted Prize has been awarded to an idea rather than a person. The 2012 Ted Prize has been awarded to “The City 2.0.” The Ted Prize winner receives $100,000 and also "One Wish to Change the World." The prize ties in with the TED community's assembly of expertise and resources, and works towards collaborative initiatives that will influence millions.

Land planning and design is highly driven by the need for schematic designs, but understanding the best methods and tools to reflect these schemes can be daunting. Technology continues to advance at an accelerated rate and we must stay up to speed on these changes in order to most appropriately accomplish the task at hand. 3D technologies have emerged over the past two decades increasing our ability to create stunning images of our visions, but are we using the tools correctly?

The increasing growth and complexity of cities raises the question how we can use digital media technologies and principles from online culture to design livable and lively cities. How can digital media aid citizens to engage with their environment, with fellow urbanites, and with issues at stake in their cities? Most mobile and location-based apps are about personalized consumption and sharing preferences with an in-group of like-minded people. Can we use digital technologies to help solve collective problems in the city too?