For the last fifty years Richard Wurman – architect, graphic designer
and founder of the TED Conferences – has been dedicated to creating a
platform that.pares cities. In Wurman's early studies, he quickly
learned that.paring global cities was no easy task. Cities use very
different languages to describe their assets, from planning principles
to land use types to social statistics. "They don't collect their
information the same way. They don't describe themselves with the same
legend," he tells Nate Berg of Next City.Thanks to sophisticated mapping
tools, delving into the statistical data of numerous cities has b.e far
more manageable than in 1962, when Wurman produced his first.parative
analysis using clay models of 50 different cities.
Wurman's
analog-driven statistical analysis has turned into the Urban
Observatory, a website that allows users to choose from 15 variables and
easily.pare the public data of up to 16 cities around the world in real
time.Admittedly, Wurman is not sure yet how this data will be used, but
he has a few speculations. With this platform, cities can observe the
statistical trends of cities around the world, noting the successes and
failures of city policies. Wurman also anticipates that it will
help.panies and municipalities locate sites – such as a relocated
factory or fire station, for example – for future development.
All
in all, the project is subject to the ways in which cities continue to
collect their data. "Urban Observatory, while flashy and engaging, is
still limited by the availability of data, and by the willingness of
cities to massage their data to fit the set standard. The goal is that
more will see the value and participate," writes Berg. IT tool developed to curb dengue
,
Urban Observatory's.parison tool will have to use the data available in
its efforts of creating a.prehensive tool.Founding Tool bassist Paul
D'Amour has just released the single 'Intercession' from his new band
Lesser Key. The group is scheduled to release their debut EP in late
2013 via Sumerian Records.