[Air-L] Event: Open Data, Smart Citizens?

[Scott Rodgers]

With apologies to
those outside of London / the South East of England.

 

Open Data, Smart Citizens?

27 January 2015, 7pm

Birkbeck, University of
London

Keynes Library (Room 114),
43 Gordon Square, Bloomsbury, WC1H 0PD

 

Although a relatively recent phenomenon, the concept and
implementation of technologically-enabled 'smart cities,' has already generated
much criticism. While some note the surveillance implications of supposedly
'all-knowing' and 'all-seeing' urban environments, others challenge the
technocratic assumption that the automated 'smart city' will help overcome the
limitations of an inherently unruly and inefficient citizenry.

 

Yet do these top-down, privatised and bureaucratic forms
of urban management exhaust the possibilities of the smart city discussion? Or
might the contemporary confluence of urban space and media technologies lead to
more democratic and participatory alternatives? Could such developments as the
expanded access to 'big data' and the information generated by sensor
technologies help produce more small-scale, distributed or spontaneous forms of
invention and intervention within the city?

 

This seminar - the inaugural
event of a new London research network on media and cities - interrogates the
possible consequences and potentials of open data for participation and
citizenship in urban life. The event will begin with two short papers: Jennifer Gabrys (Goldsmiths) will speak on 'Citizen Sensing, Smart Citizens
and Rethinking the Problem of Urban Participation'; and Alison
Powell (LSE) will speak on
'Governing the Data City: Agency, Voice, and Augmented Space.' Güneş
Tavmen (Birkbeck) will then respond with some initial comments,
followed by a discussion involving the audience. A wine reception will conclude
the event.

 

Participation is open to all but registration
is essential - please register you place at:

 

https://eventbrite.co.uk/event/15218465841/

 

For more information, please get
in touch with Joel McKim (j.mckim at bbk.ac.uk)or Scott Rodgers (s.rodgers at bbk.ac.uk)