Get the most out of your data

When:: Thursday, 12th November 2015
Time:: 9:30am - 3:30pm
Where:: Kelvin Suite, Hilton Glasgow Grosvenor, Glasgow, UK

This workshop aims to increase local authorities’ understanding of how best to interrogate complex urban data to inform the development of effective programmes and policies.

The workshop will explore:

Why big data is important for urban planning and city management
The data services, research support and training opportunities the UBDC provides local authorities
How local authorities can increase their impact on cities by sharing urban data
Information about data available through the UBDC and how it can be accessed
Guided discussion regarding challenges to local authorities that could benefit from big data research or analysis
Urban data demonstrations, including geospatial and transport data
Opportunities to ask questions and share ideas with UBDC staff

This free workshop is open to any employee of a UK council. We are looking for participants from a range of local authorities across the UK, from a variety of departments and policy areas who want to maximise their impact by fully exploiting the opportunities provided by urban data.

Agenda

Morning session: Big data and local authorities

9:30am – 10:00am Registration Sign-In

Coffee/tea and pastries provided

10:00am – 10:20am Welcome and Introduction, Professor Piyushimita (Vonu) Thakuriah

What is big data?
Why is big data important for urban planning and city management?

10:20am – 10:50am UBDC Services for Local Authorities, Professor Nick Bailey and Des McNulty

What data and research services does the UBDC provide local authorities?
What training opportunities are there for local authorities?
How does the UBDC manage confidential data?
How can local authorities make an impact on cities by sharing urban data?

10:50am – 11:00am Introduction to UBDC Data Service, UBDC IT Team

What type of data services does the UBDC provide?

11:00am – 11:45am Breakout Sessions (Led by various UBDC staff)

Participants break into three smaller groups with UBDC staff divided between them:

Participants provide feedback and thoughts on what would be useful to them in a data service
Local authority representatives share 1-2 relevant challenges they are facing that may be amenable to big data research or analysis. UBDC staff will map out the challenges and lead discussion on next steps and potential research projects.

11:45am – 12:10pm Present to group

Each of the three breakout groups present to all participants, in 5-7 minute summaries of their discussion around key challenges/potential projects.

12:10pm – 12:30pm Q&A

An opportunity for all participants to ask questions about the breakout session presentations.

12:30pm – 1:30pm Break for lunch

Buffet lunch and refreshments provided

Afternoon session: Urban data demonstrations

1:30pm – 2:00pm Geo-spatial data demonstration

Dr Jing Yao and Research Associate Sila Nowicka will present a range of geo-spatial data and research, including innovative data collection efforts as part of the integrated Multimedia City Data (iMCD) project and the potential to visualise multimedia urban data.

2:00pm – 2:20pm Q&A

2:20pm – 2:50pm Transport data demonstration

Dr David McArthur will present ongoing research on urban accessibility, in which a big data approach is being devleoped, including geographic visualisations of traffic sensor data. Dr Jinhyun Hong will discuss ongoing research on relationships between travel behaviour, ICT use and the built environment.

2:50pm – 3:10pm Q&A

3:10pm – 3:30pm Closing remarks, Professor Piyushimita (Vonu) Thakuriah

Coffee, tea and refreshments available following the event.