What is open data?
See also:
The concept of Open Data is gaining momentum in the UK, pioneered by advocates such as Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web, and with vocal support from initiatives such as The Guardian’s Free Our Datacampaign.
The idea of allowing public access to public data sets in order to generate innovation and insight through their re-use has also struck a chord within Government, with the creation of data.gov.uk as a central point for the release of data and the generation of a community of interest. More local initiatives, such as London Datastore, or localised data, for example Defra’s Noise Maps, are beginning to reinterpret data in ways which have impact and relevance for all citizens.
Bristol City Council has been a pioneer and strong advocate for the potential positive impacts of digital technology on the engagement between general public and Local Authority, and on the social, economic and cultural positives of a connected City.
As a part of the new 20-20 programme, Bristol City Council and Connecting Bristol would now like to release some of its data sets in order to catalyse new development in public engagement and services.A particular ambition is to release data relating to the city’s environment (in the widest sense) in order to develop new ways for citizens and businesses to engage with peak oil, climate change and the wider green agenda.
