citizen science - A Case Study in Open Government: The Burrard Bridge Trial

[Tracey P. Lauriault]

the City of Vancouver has opted to share the raw data on a regularly basis, as well as blog about the trial and give citizens an opportunity to leave comments and feedback. Indeed, the whole Burrard Street Lane Trial website - including twitter account and facebook page - is a well organized affair. Unsurprisingly, the data shows that the number of people cycling over the bridge has increased significantly.

The real story here isn't about whether the Burrard Bridge Lane Trial becomes permanent or not. It's about the process. For perhaps the first time in the history of the city citizens and interested groups can conduct their own analysis of the trials significance, in real time, using credible data. Better yet, the analysis won't be limited to what public servants think. Anyone, in the city, or in the world for that matter, can take this data and mash it up with other data sets or simply analyze as it is. A debate grounded in fact, not emotions or anecdotes, can now take place.

Via: David Eaves' Blog - http://eaves.ca/2009/08/04/a-case-study-in-open-government-the-burrard-bridge-trial/

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Tracey P. Lauriault
613-234-2805
https://gcrc.carleton.ca/confluence/display/GCRCWEB/Lauriault

[The Munroes]

Funny how it goes….I sit on the local museum’s expansion steering committee (http://members.shaw.ca/qbmsc/) and am promoting the digitizing of info and the use of the internet … there is a need to expand to house the growing paleontology collection … you should see it.  Anyway, I very much appreciate the links and insights and efforts and enthusiasm of the contributors to civicaccess.

 

I started this email a while back and saved it as a draft ….

 

Congratulations and kudos to those involved in making raw data accessible.

Being well informed is fundamental to sound decision making.

Increasingly, varying perspectives can refer to accessible info to add insight, and refine solutions.

I have found that people can be amazingly good at coming up with solutions, when the info is open, verifiable, understandable and sound

 

Keep up the good work,

 

Warren