Field Note Apps for Amsterdam

Print this article Abstract Access to information is (in) valuable. Information, and indeed knowledge, eventually builds on data. Local governments generate and own many of the most valuable datasets. Now that the Internet provides us with the means and the tools, access to Public Sector Information (PSI) is increasingly seen to be a valuable stimulator of innovation. To stimulate awareness, encourage development and help the release of open datasets in our locality, we recently organized an app contest, much in the vein of the "Apps for Democracy" initiative in Washington DC, called "Apps for Amsterdam". It was organized in collaboration between the City of Amsterdam, Waag Society (Media Lab), and Hack de Overheid (a coders' open data community initiative). Recognizing the potential advantages in terms of transparency, efficiency and innovation, the political environment is often quite supportive of open data initiatives. Many issues arise, however, when actually involving local council departments in implementing an open data policy. While some of these questions are practical or technical in nature, others are financial. Privacy concerns are important and many issues revolve around the quality of data and accountability of the people responsible for that data. In Apps for Amsterdam the general approach has been to provide "pilot" datasets a one-off subset of the actual information available. This is very valuable both for city officials as well as for developers and designers. The question arises how can we move from here towards a sustainable open data practice? We have learned to address some of the issues, but have yet to find answers to many others. In this note, we will discuss our learning, the questions that arose in the process and the effects on transparency, efficiency and innovation. Apps for Amsterdam