Robert Goodspeed

<p> City data catalogs are fast moving from the exception to the norm for large U.S. cities.<br /> <br /> Washington, DC&#39;s <a href="http://data.octo.dc.gov/">Data Catalog</a>, spearheaded by former CTO Vivek Kundra, was an early leader. The site combines hundreds of static government-created datasets from across DC government with administrative feeds like the city&#39;s 311 system. Their site emphasizes providing data in multiple formats, including where possible formats that don&#39;t require proprietary software. Kundra&#39;s selection as the nation&#39;s first Chief Information Officer, and launch of the federal government&#39;s <a href="http://www.Data.gov">Data.gov</a> has elevated the principle among the federal government&#39;s vast datasets. DC&#39;s two &quot;apps&quot; contests sought to encourage creative uses of the data made available, and some of which are available at the <a href="http://apps.dc.gov/">DC App Store</a>.<br /> <br /> Beyond DC, many big cities have recently launched or are planning open data catalogs of their own.<br />

<p> What&#39;s better than <a href="/node/38227">Twitter in the city</a>? An iPhone. With a connection to the Internet, built-in camera, location-awareness, 3-access accelerometer and colorful display, the Apple iPhone has become much more than a mobile phone: it&#39;s a sophisticated mobile computing platform. Combine this technology with a library of thousands of programs and growing ecosystem of developers, the iPhone is powerful and versatile tool to transform how people interact with their surroundings. </p> <p> A growing number of iPhone apps are taking advantage of the phone&#39;s functionality to allow people to navigate, measure, observe, and interact with cities in new ways. This post describes some I have come across for e-government, urban sensing and interaction, and navigation. First, a caveat: I don&#39;t actually own one of the devices myself and haven&#39;t tested the apps (yet). I&#39;ve certainly missed many, so leave your favorites in the comments below. </p>

<p>One of the interesting parts of my position at the Boston <a href="http://www.mapc.org/" target="_blank">Metropolitan Area Planning Council</a> over the past year has been working with U.S. Census Bureau surveys and data. Since last September, this work has included preparations to ensure the region is prepared for the 2010 Census.<br /><br />Mandated by the U.S. Constitution to determine political representation, every planner knows the U.S. Census has become the single most important data source for studying American cities. The U.S. Census Bureau produces dozens of surveys, the Census held once every ten years is by far the most important. Many of the other surveys, as well as countless private sector studies and projections, depend on the decennial census numbers.<br />

<p> The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that in 2007, over 9.8 million American households had no auto available at home. Although those car free households make up only 8.7% of the U.S., the split by housing ownership is striking: only 3.3% of owner occupied homes do without at least one vehicle, where fully 19.9% of renters have no cars parked in the proverbial driveway. </p> <p> For some, not owning a vehicle is not a matter of choice -- just the reality of limited resources. For others, it&#39;s a matter of preference, and many residents of cities with fairly good public transportation choosing to go without cars. Although car ownership is a useful indicator of neighborhoods that provide good options for public transit, the reality is the most important variable isn&#39;t whether you own one, but how much you <em>drive</em>. </p> <p> That&#39;s the idea behind the annual Car-Free Challenge sponsored by the San Francisco Bay Area nonprofit <a href="http://www.transformca.org/">TransForm</a> (formerly TALC - Transportation and Land Use Coalition). The Challenge&#39;s over 160 participants pledged to drive less than 125 miles in June, much less than the Bay Area average of 540, or the U.S. average of over 1,000. Many participants contributed blog posts about their experiences on the <a href="http://www.transformca.org/car-free/challenge-posts">Challenge website</a>. More than just a group of footloose young professionals living in The Mission, challenge participants were remarkably diverse group living mostly in the Bay Area but also Sacramento, Los Angeles, and cities outside of California. </p>

<p>The conference bags handed out to the attendees of the 2007 National Planning conference in Philadelphia had four words printed on one side: value, choice, engagement, community. The words echo the <a href="http://www.planning.org/apaataglance/mission.htm">long mission statement</a> of the American Planning Association, evidence of what I <a href="/node/34936">described</a> last year as the pragmatic position of the profession that refrains from making a larger argument about the form of the city. Here&#39;s a taste:</p><blockquote> &quot;Our collaborative efforts will continue to result in great success for APA and the vital communities we strive to support, and APA members will continue to help create communities of lasting value. We value choice and community engagement, diversity, inclusion and social equity.&quot;</blockquote><p>Since then, a new program from the organization and other evidence may suggest a subtle shift in professional values now underway.</p>