Georeferenced Open Data and Augmented Interactive Geo-Visualizations as Catalysts for Citizen Engagement

Abstract

<jats:p>Citizen engagement figures prominently on political agendas around the world. In this context, high hopes are pinned to open government, open data and ICT tools. At the same time, there are fears of a widening digital divide, where large groups of society are in danger of being excluded from societal processes, for example due to having difficulties in using the online tools provided. In this paper, we propose an approach that has the potential to address many key issues in this context (e.g. accessibility, complexity, engagement). It relies on space and time as common integrators, and uses interactive augmented geo-visualizations to facilitate citizen engagement. We report on key challenges that need to be overcome to realize this approach and on initial progress towards this goal. We describe a set of prototypical tools aimed at supporting citizen engagement in the envisioned way, and discuss the approach as well as its potentials, issues and challenges in detail. Initial experiences and results indicate that our approach is not only technically feasible but it can also empower citizens to more effectively engage with societal and governmental processes.</jats:p>

Intelligent geovisualizations for open government data (vision paper)

“…We use the term 'Geovisualization' in line with [28] to broadly include interactive maps, network graphs, charts/graphs, tables, symbols, diagrams and pictures. Geovisualizations can act as catalysts for citizen engagement in the OGD landscape [15]. In keeping with Albus [1], intelligence requires at least the ability to sense the environment, make decisions, and control action.…”

Towards an open 3D participatory citizen debate

“…This studies demonstrates that users have acknowledged the usefulness of the tool and are eager to participate more often with this kind of online platforms. In their project, (Fechner & Kray, 2014) Today only very few open Government projects focus on 3D visualization. One example is the Cityplanner project ( cityplanneronline.com ), which provides features such as the possibility to visualize 3D buildings and to communicate with the citizens regarding future projects.…”

Opening up Smart Cities: Citizen-Centric Challenges and Opportunities from GIScience

“…Geospatial visual methods, in varied forms, have been traditionally used to engage users and enable participation. Fechner and Kray [81] proposed an approach which relies on space and time as common integrators, and uses augmented interactive geo-visualizations to facilitate citizen engagement. They introduced three ideas, and exemplary tools, worth exploring in a smart city context: (i) synchronous distributed online collaborative mapping, (ii) the use of maps as spatial dialogue platforms, and (iii) the use of location-based services to highlight engagement opportunities both spatially and temporally.…”

“…Fechner and Kray [81] argue that maps are one way of contextualizing and presenting primary data in an understandable and engaging way. As such, maps have a key role to play in the improvement of data literate citizenry.…”