Worthy news all around the TOPP-sphere this week:
- Streetsblog and TOPP Labs are both talking about the MTA's move to open up transit data on their new website. On the heels of this announcement, we're hosting the next meeting of the NYC Open Transit Data Meetup on January 20th.
- As the extent of the heartbreaking disaster in Haiti unfolds, Philip Ashlock has an excellent overview of open issue-reporting systems, with an eye on how they can impact disaster relief efforts.
- In partnership with the World Bank, OpenGeo launched GeoNode.org. The GeoNode project is taking the principles and practices of openness which have empowered
the modern web, and using them to build a spatial data infrastructure
solution appropriate for large NGO’s and government agencies. Announcement here.
- Streetsblog got a hat-tip in the New York Times for its coverage of Manhattan district attorney's decision to review the case of a former Police Commissioner who backed his SUV into a pregnant woman.
If you missed attending FOSS4G, you can now experience a part of the conference via videos! Here are the talks that we gave that were captured by the video team from FOSSLC:
Happy viewing!
On Wednesday, Phil Ashlock of TOPP Labs appeared on Brian Lehrer Live. Along with Chris Schoenfeld of StationStops.com, Phil spoke about transit applications, Open 311 and opportunity for open government initiatives to "unleash an unlimited number of ways that data can be used."
The video is available here, and Chris and Phil appear starting at minute 42.
Tonight at 7:30 EST, tune in as Brian Lehrer interviews Philip Ashlock of TOPP Labs. You'll be able to view the webcast here.
6:30pm update from Philip Ashlock:
I just came back from the studio taping and thought I'd mention a few things I didn't have a chance to cover during the interview.
One good example of civic technology we're developing is trip planning software for public transportation. We've worked with Portland's TriMet to provide their trip planner and we're bringing other cities together to share and collaborate on technology like this with the Open Trip Planner project. You can find more information about our technology projects on this website, on the TOPP Labs website, and on the OpenGeo website.
Also, The Open Planning Project helps bring developer communities together to better support their efforts. We've done this with the other transit developers in the region, including Chris Schoenfeld of StationStops, with the New York Public Transit Data Summits and NyTransit.org. We're now working to facilitate a healthy and productive dialogue between these developers and the MTA. We're following this same model for the Open311 initiative by bringing 311 developers and city governments from across North America together to share technology and best practices to create better more connected city services.
On the subject of opening up city data, it's worth noting that both Vancouver, BC and Portland, Oregon have recently passed legislation that makes open data and open technology a core part of city government.
We've been busy this week, both in the office and around town:
- Today, Nick Grossman of TOPP Labs has been tweeting from the Open Cities Conference, where he spoke about participatory planning. Tomorrow, Nick is playing moderator at "Using Powerful Web Apps to Build a Livable Streets Movement" panel at Walk 21. For those attending, it's the Thursday 2pm session in Room 802. Looking forward to great discussion with innovators Joe Froehlich of UbiGreen, Ben Berkowitz of SeeClickFix, Nathan Freiter of The Extraordinairies, and Seth Priebatsch of SCVNGR.
- Kim Wiley Schwartz of Livable Streets Education is speaking at Walk 21's "Creating and Sustaining Successful Safe Routes to Schools Programs." The Safe Routes to Schools movement has made great strides over the past few years, and this session promises best practice ideas for schools and program strategists. Thursday 4pm session in Room 914.
- Aaron Naparstek of Streetsblog is moderating Walk 21's "How Local Livable Streets Advocates Are Using the Internet to Build a Movement." Panelists include Robin Holzer of the Houston Citizen's Transportation Coalition, David Alpert of Greater Greater Washington, Mark Abraham of Design New Haven, and Lisa Peterson Bender of Twin Cities Streets for People. Friday 9am session in Room 802.
- OpenGeo is getting ready for FOSS4G, where they will be easy to find.
- Also, don't forget to pick up your own copy of the current GOOD
Magazine, where TOPP has been highlighted as a member of the 'GOOD
100'. We're beaming with pride!
If you're encountering good ideas on how citizens can take part in better transportation and urban planning, spread the word by including
#civichacking in your tweets.
The Livable Streets Initiative has been making the news a lot recently:
More press clips are available at our Press Room, and we are of course happy to talk to members of the media. Drop us an email.
Ben, along with Yonah Freemark of
The Transport Politic, will be on WNYC this morning to talk about
Mayor Bloomberg's transit platform. The segment should air between 10:30 and 11.
GeoServer is featured in an article in InfoGEO magazine. Written by active community member Fernando Quadro, the article is a brief overview of GeoServer. There may not be anything new here for those who are already familiar with GeoServer, but it’s still great to see GeoServer in print.
Original Article
English translation (via Google Translate)
This is a good time to remind everyone that GeoServer has mailing lists in Portuguese, along with Italian and Spanish. Moreover, with the switch to our new documentation system, we now have the ability to have GeoServer documentation in multiple languages. If you are interested in contributing, please let us know.
Greater Newark Conservancy's Newark Youth Leadership Project is giving youth the tools and support to transform their streets for the better. Livable Streets Education was on the scene, giving Community Organizing 101 talk, highlighted the ways that citizens can get involved in creating safer, more sustainable streets and neighborhoods.
Mobilizing the Region has the full story.
Over July 4th weekend, our big purple friend Zozo stopped in at Celebrate Brooklyn to enjoy the car-free atmosphere. He caught a concert by They Might Be Giants and talked to a few thousand new friends about making New York City a friendlier place for Zozos.
Brooklyn Vegan has some great pics.
