Resource recommends a common data-sharing approach for smart cities

Smartcitiesworld.net
August 27, 2020

ATIS and US Ignite are publishing the Smart Cities Data Catalogue Specification, which aims to extend the value of data beyond governmental boundaries.

Non-profit smart city accelerator US Ignite and the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) have released a standards document to help cities create value from smart cities infrastructure investments.

Smart Cities Data Catalogue Specification is a resource designed to help cities leverage data exchanges to achieve greater usability and application of their evolving smart cities infrastructure.

Common data-sharing

The publication recommends a common data-sharing approach for smart cities to use to enhance the value of city data assets and third-party data. Using the specification, the partners suggest, governmental agencies, developers and data partners could easily access data to explore a neighbourhood’s business development potential.

The document also introduces a blueprint for a common framework to help cities achieve their data-sharing goals. A set of critical components needed for advanced data-sharing is provided.

“Making smart cities data easily discoverable, useable and more valuable is key to creating opportunities in this area,” said Mike Nawrocki, vice president, technology and solutions, ATIS.

“The Smart Cities Data Catalogue Specification helps advance these goals. It introduces the role of ‘data enrichers’ who will put innovation into action through advanced analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence to increase the value of smart cities data.”

“The value of city data doesn’t end at the borders of municipal control. Whether people are monitoring traffic patterns to understand mobility demands, or analysing resource availability to develop economic strategy, they need data sets that extend beyond governmental boundaries,” added Praveen Ashok, technical programme manager, US Ignite.

“We’re gratified to produce this data-sharing framework in collaboration with so many dedicated partners, and we look forward to seeing how city leaders put it to use to address challenges and improve quality of life in their communities.”

“Whether people are monitoring traffic patterns to understand mobility demands, or analysing resource availability to develop economic strategy, they need data sets that extend beyond governmental boundaries”

ATIS and US Ignite report they have already been engaged in dialogue with city officials seeking opportunities to use the news specification document.

“The city of Vaughan in Ontario, Canada, is a smart city leader,” said mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua. “In our community, smart city initiatives are creating enhanced opportunities by improving the way data is collected, understood and utilised to safeguard and elevate the quality of life for citizens, as well as enhance the delivery of public services people and businesses rely on each day.

He continued: “The Smart City Data Exchange will provide opportunities for analytics companies and other businesses in Vaughan to access and navigate the city’s data, which will be valuable to include in the development of software applications.

“The Smart Data City Exchange and data catalogue standards are a foundational data framework that will accelerate the sharing of data between public and private entities at a regional and national level,” added Jim Lindauer, smart city architect of the city and County of Denver.

“It has been an honour to work with esteemed colleagues in the creation of this document over the last several years.”

As a technology and solutions development organisation, ATIS brings together leading global ICT companies to advance the industry’s business priorities.

US Ignite is a high-tech non-profit with a mission to accelerate the smart community movement. It works to guide communities into the connected future, create a path for private sector growth, and advance technology research that is at the heart of smarter development.