#Ethics & Privacy

Topic within Digital City
Folkert Leffring, Digital Media Manager , posted

Amsterdam and Helsinki launch AI registers to detail city systems

The cities of Helsinki and Amsterdam have worked together to each launch a first-of-its-kind Artificial Intelligence Register.

“Together with the city of Helsinki, we are on a mission to create as much understanding about algorithms as possible and be transparent about the way we – as cities – use them,” commented Touria Meliani, Deputy Mayor of Amsterdam (Digital City).

Folkert Leffring's picture #SmartCityAcademy
Frans-Anton Vermast, Strategy Advisor & International Smart City Ambassador at Amsterdam Smart City, posted

Amsterdam and Helsinki first cities in the world to launch open AI register

The City of Amsterdam, Helsingin kaupunki – Helsingfors stad – City of Helsinki, in collaboration with Saidot, launched the first Public AI Register. The Algorithm Register is an overview of the artificial intelligence systems and algorithms used by the Cities of Amsterdam and Helsinki. Through the register, you can get acquainted with the quick overviews of the city's algorithmic systems or examine their more detailed information based on your own interests.

If you're interested in learning more, here's something for you. The new white paper that was co-written by Linda van de Fliert, Pasi Rautio and Meeri Haataja. They really hope this will part some conversation and most importantly, help other government organisations address #transparency and take their first steps in implementing #AI #governance.

You can also give feedback and thus participate in building human-centered algorithms in Amsterdam. The register is still under development.

Frans-Anton Vermast's picture #DigitalCity
Cornelia Dinca, International Liaison at Amsterdam Smart City, posted

A Successful Launch of the CityFlows Webinar Series — Crowd Management in Times of Corona

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On Tuesday, 8 September, forty-five participants gathered for the first CityFlows webinar on the topic of crowd-management in response to corona. Speakers came from three partner cities: Eelco Thiellier, Project Manager Crowd Monitoring System Amsterdam (CMSA); Valentino Sevino, Mobility Planning Director at City of Milan’s Environmental Mobility and Territory Agency (AMAT); and Aina Pedret, Mobility & Tourism Specialist at the City of Barcelona.

The participants were CityFlows project partners (37%), crowd-management researchers or academics (17%), crowd-management professionals working for public authorities (13%), crowd-management professionals working for companies or start-ups (10%), non-professionals interested in the topic (13%), and other (10%).

The meeting represented a successful launch of the EIT-KIC CityFlows webinar series which will continue with additional webinars in October, November and December.

Following a brief introduction to the CityFlows project, Eelco Thieller shared how the City of Amsterdam has quickly adapted its crowd monitoring infrastructure to respond to the corona crisis. Eelco showed the techniques that are used and how they are instituted throughout the city in crowded locations, or “hot spots”, such as shopping districts and market areas, the Red Light District, and in parks and at event locations. The focus is always on managing crowds or flows of people in the most privacy-preserving way with infrared sensors being a good example of how this is done in Vondelpark. Eelco also described the predictive models that were developed using the data which are helpful with determining what crowd-management actions should be undertaken by the City to ensure the health and safety of the residents and visitors.

Valentino Sevino shared a broader perspective on how the City of Milan has used data and modelling to respond to the corona emergency. Valentino showed how the modal-share in the city had drastically changed since the end of February through June as a result of the corona crisis. This shed light on levels on congestion throughout the city and showed a large reduction in all modalities during the lock down. Following the lock-down, public transport began operating at 25% which then required the city to undertake a complete rethinking of the mobility system with the goal of focusing on more temporal distribution, promotion of remote working, and promotion of active transport through street space reallocation to non-motorized transport. The data collected enabled them to predict and plan for different scenarios, especially considering the goal of abiding by social distancing guidelines during rush hours.

Aina Pedret from the City of Barcelona responded to the first two presentations by reflecting on the global challenge of ensuring confidence and safety for people in response to corona. To ensure this confidence and safety for both locals and tourists, the City of Barcelona is developing an application showing real time data of busyness at “hot spots”. And similar to the City of Amsterdam, the City of Barcelona is using cameras to monitor and manage occupancy and crowds at busy locations such as markets.

The webinar ended with an open discussion facilitated by Dorine Duives, CityFlows Principle Investigator at TU Delft.

Did you miss the webinar? It is possible to watch the recording via https://vimeo.com/460939134

___________________________________________________________________________________

CityFlows is an EIT-KIC project aims to improve the liveability of crowded pedestrian spaces through the use of Crowd Monitoring Decision Support Systems to manage pedestrian flows. The project is led by AMS Institute and brings together crowd-management and mobility practitioners and researchers in Amsterdam, Barcelona and Milan. The CityFlows project tests and evaluates various innovative crowd monitoring techniques in real-life settings where large crowds meet, such as mass events, tourist spaces and transfer hubs. The CityFlows project also prepares a CM-DSS for market launch which incorporates state-of-the-art monitoring techniques.
Join us for one or all of the next CityFlows webinars:
• Tuesday, 13 October, 2020 – 12:00-13:00 CET
• Tuesday, 3 November – 15:00-16:00 CET
• Tuesday, December 1 – 15:00-16:00 CET

Are you a practitioner or researcher working on a relevant crowd-management project and would like to share your work and findings with the CityFlows network? Send a short email explaining your project to CityFlows Communications Officer, Cornelia Dinca via cornelia.dinca@ams-institute.org.

Cornelia Dinca's picture #DigitalCity
Cornelia Dinca, International Liaison at Amsterdam Smart City, posted

CityFlows Webinar #2 Big Data & IoT for Crowd Management

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The EIT-KIC project CityFlows aims to improve the liveability of crowded pedestrian spaces through the use of Crowd Monitoring Decision Support Systems (CM-DSS) to manage pedestrian flows. In three partner cities, Amsterdam, Milan and Barcelona, the CityFlows project tests and evaluates various innovative crowd monitoring techniques in real-life settings where large crowds meet, such as mass events, tourist spaces and transfer hubs. The CityFlows project also prepares a CM-DSS for market launch which incorporates state-of-the-art monitoring techniques.

To facilitate knowledge exchange between project partners and stakeholders, the CityFlows project is hosting a webinar series. Through four, one hour webinars you will get insights from project partners and engage in a discussion with crowd-management researchers and practitioners.

Please note: this second edition of the CityFlows webinar series previously scheduled for October 6 has been postponed to October 13.

CityFlows Webinar #2: Big Data & IoT for Crowd Management

  • 11:50 – 12:00 Zoom meeting room open
  • 12:00 – 12:05 Welcome & introductions
  • 12:05 – 12:20 Best practices & lessons learned from Barcelona by Jordi Ortuño, Maziar Ahmadi & Chloe Cortés
  • 12:20 – 12:35 Data source integration for tourism flows governance and safety in Milan by Mauro Annunziato & Piero De Sabbata
  • 12:35 – 12:40 Reflection from Amsterdam
  • 12:40 – 13:00 Q&A with the audience
  • 13:00 Program end

To join this webinar, please register in advance via: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZclceqtqTopEtZ0cP35pYUMxda6Wu1wqDbK

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Save the date!

Two additional webinars are scheduled through the end of the year. Topics and speakers will be announced closer to the date:

• Tuesday, November 3, 15:00-16:00 CET

• Tuesday, December 1, 15:00-16:00 CET

Are you a practitioner or researcher working on a relevant crowd-management project and would like to share your work and findings with the CityFlows network? Send a short email explaining your project to CityFlows Communications Officer, Cornelia Dinca via cornelia.dinca@ams-institute.org.

Cornelia Dinca's picture Online event on Oct 13th
Linda van de Fliert, Innovation officer , posted

Next Generation Internet Policy Summit

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What kind of future internet do you want to see? Join us on 28 and 29 September for a free and immersive digital event, The NGI Policy Summit.

Organised by Nesta and the City of Amsterdam, the NGI Policy Summit is the flagship policy event of the Next Generation Internet initiative, the European Commission’s ambitious programme, which seeks to build a more democratic, inclusive and resilient future Internet by 2030.

The Summit is free to attend online. It caters to policymakers at all levels of governance, as well as leaders in public sector innovation, academia and civil society. Together, we will set out an ambitious European vision for the future Internet and explore some of the long-term policy interventions and technical solutions that can help get us there. This year’s event will explore a broad range of issues from digital identity to internet sustainability, and puts a particular emphasis on the role of local initiatives to tackle the challenges of digitalization.

Whether you’re interested in attending the full two-day conference experience or just joining an individual session, we would be delighted to welcome you to the NGI Policy Summit.

Check out the detailed programme and register today at https://summit.ngi.eu/.

Online event from Sep 28th to Sep 30th
Cornelia Dinca, International Liaison at Amsterdam Smart City, posted

CityFlows Webinar #1: Crowd management in times of corona

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The EIT-KIC project CityFlows aims to improve the liveability of crowded pedestrian spaces through the use of Crowd Monitoring Decision Support Systems (CM-DSS) to manage pedestrian flows. In three partner cities, Amsterdam, Milan and Barcelona, the CityFlows project tests and evaluates various innovative crowd monitoring techniques in real-life settings where large crowds meet, such as mass events, tourist spaces and transfer hubs. The CityFlows project also prepares a CM-DSS for market launch which incorporates state-of-the-art monitoring techniques.

To facilitate knowledge exchange between project partners and stakeholders, the CityFlows project is hosting a webinar series. Through four, one hour webinars you will get insights from project partners and engage in a discussion with crowd-management researchers and practitioners.

During this first edition, project partners will share how they are repurposing crowd management tools to contribute to social distancing research and policy recommendations in times of corona. Crowd-management researchers and practitioners are encouraged to join this interactive webinar and to share their best practices and lessons learned.

CityFlows Webinar #1: Crowd management in times of corona

14:50 – 15:00 Zoom waiting room open

15:00 – 15:05 Welcome and introduction to CityFlows webinar series, Cornelia Dinca

15:05 – 15:20 Experience from Amsterdam, Eelco Thiellier, City of Amsterdam, Traffic & Public Space Department

15:20 – 15:35 Experience from Milan, Valentino Sevino, City of Milan, Environmental Mobility and Territory Agency (AMAT)

15:35 – 16:00 Q&A with audience

16:00 Program end

To join this webinar, please register in advance via: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZclceqtqTopEtZ0cP35pYUMxda6Wu1wqDbK

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Save the date!

Three additional webinars are scheduled through the end of the year. Topics and speakers will be announced in September.

• Tuesday, October 6, 15:00-16:00 CET

• Tuesday, November 3, 15:00-16:00 CET

• Tuesday, December 1, 15:00-16:00 CET

Are you a practitioner or researcher working on a relevant crowd-management project and would like to share your work and findings with the CityFlows network? Send a short email explaining your project to CityFlows Communications Officer, Cornelia Dinca via cornelia@amsterdamsmartcity.com.

Cornelia Dinca's picture Online event on Sep 8th
Amsterdam Smart City, Connector of opportunities at Amsterdam Smart City, posted

Speaking opportunity at event 'How to Get People to Actually Use Contact Tracing Apps' - 3rd of September

The wait is almost over. On the 1st of September, the Netherlands will launch its own contact tracing app to combat COVID-19. In a few weeks time, all Dutch people will be able to use the Coronamelder. But, are people really waiting for this app? Usage is voluntary, however, it is often said that 60% of the population should use the app to ensure effectiveness. Will 60% of the Dutch install an app? What can the government and other stakeholders do to ensure high rates of adoption? And what lessons can we learn from other countries already using contact-tracing apps? Join the international exchange!

Amsterdam Smart City is organizing a Data Dilemmas event on this topic on the 3rd of September! More information can be found here: https://amsterdamsmartcity.com/events/how-to-get-people-to-actually-use-contact-tracing

Have you been involved in the development, testing or roll-out of a contact-tracing app for covid-19 and would you like to share you experience as a user or professional? Get in touch with Nancy via nancy@amsterdamsmartcity.com with a short explanation on how you would like to contribute to the discussion!

Amsterdam Smart City's picture #DigitalCity
Amsterdam Smart City, Connector of opportunities at Amsterdam Smart City, posted

How to Get People to Use Contact Tracing Apps

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How to successfully introduce contact tracing apps? Join the discussion!

A****msterdam Smart City - Data Dilemmas event

In smart city projects, technology is almost never the issue. Success is highly depended on whether people will actually need, use and understand technology. This also goes for the contact tracing apps! How important is the app for governments? How does the app help regular contact tracing? How does it put people in the center of technology? How have their contact-tracing apps been effective? What can your countries learn from each other? How important is it that people will use the app? And what strategies do governments have to enthuse people to use them?

A lot of things to discuss!

The Netherlands will soon launch its own contact tracing app to combat COVID-19. The ‘Coronamelder’ (Corona Reporter) is currently being tested in a beta version. In a few weeks time, all Dutch people will be able to use the Coronamelder. The app is said to play an important role in informing people when they have been directly exposed to someone with COVID-19.

Join us during the upcoming Data Dilemmas event on September 3!

Program:

Date: 3rd of September 2020

Online event

Language: English

15.50: Digital walk-in

16.00 – 16.05: Introduction by Leonie van den Beuken, program director Amsterdam Smart City

16.05 – 16.45: Presentations + Q&A

Including:

- Ivo Jansch, developer of the CoronaMelder app at the Dutch Ministry of Health

- Hilleen Smeets, member of the prevention team at the Municipal Health Service (GGD) Amsterdam.

- Gar Mac Críosta - project manager/lead for the Irish Covid-Tracker-App at the Chief Information Office of Ireland Health Service

- Eivind Arvesen, previous member expert panel evaluating the Norwegian contact tracing app

- Hannes Grasegger - journalist from Switzerland

16.45 – 17.15: Plenary discussion and wrap-up

17.15 – 17.30: Digital drinks

About the Data Dilemmas series

The contact tracing app is an example that shows possibilities of data and new technologies for urban challenges are endless. We use data to make cities safer, cleaner and, for example, more accessible. But what happens to all the data that is collected? Which choices did people make and why? D**o we really need the data in all cases? Which dilemmas can be encountered? Which other considerations play a role? These questions are important for everyone; for governments, residents and companies. Amsterdam Smart City would like to explore with you which decisions are needed for responsible use of data. Data Dilemmas is a collaboration between Amsterdam Smart City and the City of Amsterdam’s Datalab.

Amsterdam Smart City's picture Online event on Sep 3rd
Sander van Lingen, Innovation Manager at Dell Technologies, posted

Blue Force Tracking

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Testing medical certified body sensors to detect unexpected behaviour, triggering an alert, which allows the command & control room to act and better support their fellow officers in the field.

[

Blue Force Tracking - Nalta Experience #1

How to improve the protection and safety of the Dutch Blue Force using smart Technology?
Nalta built a new innovative Internet of Things solution solving just that. In partnership with the Netherlands Police, the municipality of Amsterdam, Johan Cruijff Arena, Dell Technologies and Dell Boomi we cre

Nalta YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cyFp_XGLFA)

Sander van Lingen's picture #DigitalCity
Sander van Lingen, Innovation Manager at Dell Technologies, posted

Innovatie Manager Nationale Politie Mark Wiebes & ABN AMRO delen visie over innovatie

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Innovatie Manager Nationale Politie Mark Wiebes & Micha Rentier, Head Technology Lab bij ABN AMRO geven visie over innovatie en technologie.

Mark Wiebes, innovatiemanager bij de Nationale Politie, spreekt op 7 juli 2020 tussen 14.00-16.00 uur met andere Nederlandse innovatie experts. Wiebes bespreekt hoe met slimme oplossingen invulling kan worden gegeven aan de digitale transformatie en hoe de politie samenwerkt in het project "Digitale Perimeter" met de Gemeente Amsterdam & de JC Arena.

Micha Rentier, Head Technology Lab bij ABN AMRO zal bespreken hoe ABN AMRO werkt en aan welke innovaties er gewerkt wordt in het dataistic center van de bank. Denk daarbij aan het beschikbaar stellen van hun rekenkracht voor het oplossen van maatschappelijke uitdagingen zoals in de strijd tegen corona.

Deze webinar wordt een LIVE en interactieve sessie met interessante sprekers Mark Wiebes (innovatiemanager Nationale Politie), Micha Rentier (Head Technology Lab ABN AMRO), Janneke van den Heuvel (CEO Aura Aware), Peter Rake (Directeur 5Groningen) met als moderator Danny Frietman.

Registreer u via de volgende link voor dit GRATIS LIVE EVENT op 7 Juli 2020 van 14:00-16:00
https://lnkd.in/dXYKuX5

Sander van Lingen's picture Online event on Jul 7th
Amsterdam Smart City, Connector of opportunities at Amsterdam Smart City, posted

Where is the European tech sector? Tech for Society recap

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In our daily lives, we became dependent on just a few tech companies, usually located in the USA or in China. Should we become independent and develop our own tech sector? Last Friday, the 19th of June 2020, the fifth edition of the Tech for Society series was launched in Pakhuis de Zwijger: a livestream series about the role of technology in a society that is currently under pressure of the Covid-19 crisis. The central theme of this edition: ‘the European Tech Sector’.

Why is it so important to have a tech sector ‘of our own’? Sander van der Waal, Future Internet Lab Lead of Waag explains the role of technology. He uses the metaphor of an iceberg. At the top, there is the technology people see in their daily lives. Phones, wifi, internet, they are there and work fine. Beneath this citizen perspective are a lot of layers we can’t see. There is a technology stack, in which you’ll find the infrastructure, the internet cables, GPS, datacenters, operating systems and more. Below the stack you find the development process, the choices companies made. After that is the foundation. This is the part with assumptions, values and peoples’ rights. The figure shows that technology is a lot more than we think. It has a lot of layers and what to put in the layers, makes sense.

Zooming in on the stack, you can define three variations. 1: a private stack, dominated by tech companies driving by profit and the people as consumers. 2. A state stack, closed tech, dominated by states and surveillance of citizens. 3. A public stack, putting European values into practice, make technology open, with a participating role for citizens. Sander doesn’t think it is necessary to develop a European tech sector. There would be risk we would develop a European private sector and one can doubt if that is really a step ahead. Maybe a little one because we won’t be dependent on US companies, but in this case people still don’t play an active role.

Source: Waag

The big five

The biggest companies we are depending on, are called the big five. Google, Facebook, Amazon, Apple and Microsoft dominate the tech industry. Most of them collect our data and make them into a business model. According to Jochem de Groot, director Corporate Affairs, Microsoft does search for the societal debate about technology. They are talking about the public value of their technology. For example in AI, Microsoft calls for more rules and regulations. This way they also hope that it is easier for citizens to hold sovereignty. Microsoft also launched an open data campaign.

Sander: ‘Open data can be a step in the right direction. However, be careful with it. Data are often relatable to people. There is more open data available, but we have to be careful if we can find out to whom te data belong. Once leaked, data never go back. When it comes to tech, Europe is mostly known for the GDPR, the General Data Protection Regulation. This is a standard and also important in the USA. More current technological developments put the citizen central. And also the developments of open source are getting bigger. Open source helps to decrease the dependency of individual companies.’

Paul Tang is member of the European Parliament for the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D). He just came back from a demonstration at the office of Facebook against personalized adds. In the European Parliament a majority says these personalized adds should be forbidden. Paul: ‘Someday this is should be a law, because the European Parliament has legislative power. Sometimes these decisions can take a long time, because of member states, lobby organizations and various interests. The good thing of this power, is the influence it has on Europe, but also on the rest of the world. However, sometimes I am shocked by all the work that still has to be done. We set up criteria for the usage of algorithms a while ago, but they are not yet put into practice. When it comes to the digital playing rules, we have a lot of work to do.’

Opportunities for Europe

If the lack of tech giants in Europe is an issue and we want to create a European tech sector as a solution to our dependency on American tech giants, are there developments going on that might be opportunities that might contribute to a European tech sector? ‘Quantumcomputing’, Jochem from Microsoft says. ‘Here we really have an opportunity to create an ecosystem and be unique. As Microsoft we would like the Dutch government to invest in this.’ According to Paul Tang, ‘the market for personalized data is fully dominated by the American giants. There are possibilities in the EU for non-personalized data. For example, in the Internet of Things. Bianca Wylie, open government advocate and Tech Reset Canada co-founder: ‘When I advise companies about their future, I always tell them to get away from behavioural data. Go for clean tech, robotics, infrastructure or health tech, but don’t make your business depend on the surveillance economy. Grow other sectors with an alternative vision.’

Bianca also spoke about the opportunities Covid-19 bring to the tech sector. ‘There is an opportunity but a threat as well’, she says. ‘We have to watch the emergency that is taking place now when it comes to procurement. Keep an eye on the democratic process. But this time is also an opportunity to get rid of the tech that is not successful but costs a lot. Check the existing infrastructure. Not working? Let it go! And value human capital. We need teachers, doctors, people who do contact tracing. Build tools that help them.’

Paul: ‘The personalized ads ask for the collection of more data. We have to ban this. I think that selling products is a different business model. It shows a clear relation between producer and consumer. The system in which the people give data, get free products with advertisements is vague and manipulative. Skip this business model and make space for new ones.’ Jochem (Microsoft) doesn’t want to comment on this, because this is mainly about his competitors. He does stress that is important to create space for a market in tech, there have to be possibilities to compete. The government has to set the framework. For example with GDPR. Values for AI could use such a framework as well.’

Data sovereignty is a long lasting wish of a lot of countries. GAIA-X could play a role in this. GAIA-X is an initiative by France and Germany to strengthen the digital sovereignty of Europe. It will make Europe less dependent on China and the USA. Sander is also critical: there is a risk of copying existing models. But we need a completely different data strategy, the system is no good.

About the steps we have to take, the three men agree: we need more influence of Europe, all from another angle. According to Paul, Europe has to win back soeverignty and call a halt to their development. Jochem wants European unity to become a powerful block that can set a framework. Sander: ‘Only with the cooperation in Europe we can build alternative data models’.

According to Amsterdam Smart City, the discussion of this evening is exactly the discussion that needs to take place. Collecting data is very useful to work on the challenges in our cities. But we have to be aware that these data are in the hands of the private sector. And that free usage comes with a price. Can we work on public values with the data? This asks for a collaboration between the public and

private sector, something we work on every day. Amsterdam Smart City always puts public value first: innovating together and transparent, using each other’s expertise, with the resident at the centre.

Do you want to watch the full episode? You can watch it here (in Dutch):

[##### Tech for Society #5: Waar is de Europese techsector?

Waarom zijn er geen Europese techreuzen meer?

Pakhuis de Zwijger](https://dezwijger.nl/programma/waar-is-de-europese-techsector)

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Amsterdam Smart City, Connector of opportunities at Amsterdam Smart City, posted

From now on… according to Marleen Stikker

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The world is turned upside down since the corona crisis. This gives us the space to think about a complete ‘reset’. How can we restructure existing dysfunctional systems? In this RESET series, Pakhuis de Zwijger will showcase the perspectives of a variety of thought leaders who will reflect on this present-day situation.

Marleen Stikker, director of Waag, is sharing her insights about the future of our digital information systems. How can we restructure existing dysfunctional systems? Together with Sander van der Waal of the Future Internet Lab at Waag, they debate how citizens should be more informed and get more involved with the ongoing digital revolution that takes place all around us. Later in the programme Bianca Wylie, Open Government advocate and co-founder of Tech Reset Canada, joins in and talks on video about her recent experience with people getting involved in Toronto’s digital development plans. The panel is chaired by Jurgen, who makes sure some very important issues are discussed.

The system is broken
Marleen states that the current system doesn’t function properly, we must come up with other systems. All kind of technology is surveilling us. There is this idea you can solve any problem with technology, that technology is the solution. But look at the Corona crisis, an app cannot solve a problem. They collect all this information and trade privacy for technology. They try to take control over our lives, to control the data. But we have to decide about our privacy. We do not need all this tracing. It is a false trade off to say, ‘I have nothing to hide’. It’s wrong to give up privacy in return for technology.

Sander van de Waal joins in and explains that people need to get involved and get back their trust in technology. For this, it’s important to inform people and specially to help members of parliament get a better understanding about all this technology behind the digital roadmap. Compare it with an iceberg: we can only see the part above the surface. But what is happening underneath the surface? There are all kinds of technology layers underneath, hardware, backdoors, data, the whole stack. It is not just the app itself but underneath is a design process. Who is working on that? What is the foundation? Where are we optimising for? How are we going to gover in? And how are fundamental rights and values part of process? This should be implemented in the design from start. Look at surveillance: it is a business case for big Silicon Valley companies. The business models are built on collecting data and invading privacy. How can we avoid that? We should have an inclusive process.

Technological Stack
Sander further explains the foundation beneath all this digital technology, the Technological Stack. With its many layers underneath the surface, this public stack has different layers that need to be understood by the public to be able to make the right decisions about data, privacy and who controls these processes.

Sander continues to explain the importance of all related data, metadata, and the use of algorithms. Who controls it? Same for the Protocols and Standards. Who decides? Next is Security. An increase in infrastructure also needs an increase in cybersecurity. The technology needs to be secure. Last is when we go again back to the surface, the part that is above the iceberg: the service itself. We should choose implementations that put the user at the centre. When we use a service, we should be able to look inside the black box. We should be able to see what goes on inside. The visible tip of the iceberg is the citizen perspective: the user experience. We can only get a grip on digitalization if we see the design as a collective responsibility. This is ourcall to action: people should be informed and be aware of the entire PUBLIC STACK.

Open standards
Marleen then replies and points at the need for people to know what is going on and get involved. It’s important that we have a debate, make sure we have technologies that people can TRUST. Even politicians not always know enough about this structure.

Marleen continues: to have informed citizens. We need to make sure the technologies we use are safe and kept to standards. We spend a lot on IT, but we need to spend it differently, set standards to vendors to abide by public standards and spend research and innovation money ONLY if the technology is Open Source. The money should be invested in open, common space. It should not be invested in patents and intellectual property, but in a common good. Using public money to build a public internet. This whole movement for the next generation internet, is part of the 21st century economics. Where you move away from extractive economic models and move towards regenerative models. It is part of a much larger, sustainable development movement.

Tech Reset Canada
An example is how Bianca Wylie, Open Government Advocate and co-founder of Tech Reset Canada, mobilised citizens to oppose plans to let Google be in control of Toronto’s Smart City plans. Marleen and Sander then continue to discuss related topics like the lack of democratic oversight, how private companies usually have a goal of maximizing profits for just their shareholders, how private companies should not control public space.

Collective Power
So, the question is: How can we develop smart cities in a democratic way? People should be aware that they DO have collective power. Marleen’s greatest fear is that people forget that they have this power. I think we are at a critical time to rebuild our institutions. You do not need to be an activist, but act as a participant, a designer, step in and take your responsibility. In helping to define the future. Take for example the NHS ‘Corona’ app, which turns out to share collected data behind everyone’s back to the new data company of PayPal founder Peter Thiel. Isn’t this a real example of how NOT to trust your own institutions? Technology needs to be handled by trusted partners within the community. It needs to be well tested. What about misuse of collected data, even in a later stage? Who is watching? And then there is the issue of function creep: what was designed for just a temporary, single purpose use can later develop into something more, other uses, or over longer time then initially intended. Who controls this?

Do you want to watch the full livestream? Visit the website of Pakhuis de Zwijger: <https://dezwijger.nl/programma/from-now-on-according-to-marleen-stikker>

The discussion of this evening is exactly the discussion that needs to take place. Amsterdam Smart City beliefs in innovating openly and transparent, with always placing people and citizens central in our approach. We do this together with partners like Waag and Pakhuis de Zwijger, who have the expertise to not only engage but co-create with citizens.

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Amsterdam Smart City, Connector of opportunities at Amsterdam Smart City, posted

Capture the world with data - Tech for Society recap

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Friday 5 June 2020, the fourth edition of the Tech for Society series was launched in Pakhuis de Zwijger: a livestream series about the role of technology in a society that is currently under pressure of the Covid-19 crisis. The central theme of this edition: ‘Dataism’, defined as the believe that the world can be captured in data and algorithms. This concept makes us question its practical possibilities and how we could understand the world around us using data. How should we?

Miriam Rasch, researcher and teacher, wrote the book ‘Frictie. Ethiek in tijden van dataisme’. The book talks about dataism, which Miriam describes as a belief that everything in the world can be captured with data. It is the idea that collecting data shows you certainties and predictions about the world and this way, directs people and the society as a whole . Miriam calls it a ‘religion’, since ‘dataism could exclude other views.' Data look objective and neutral. Believers of this concept, therefore, see it as a necessity to make decision-making processes data-driven.

Martijn de Waal, researcher in the Lectorate of Play & Civic Media of the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, recognizes this dataism in the world. As a kind believer of dataism himself, Martijn looks at the concept as a way to organize information and shape the world around us. ‘However, the central role of collecting data now, as done by platforms such as Facebook or Amazon, is too big. It is pretended as if data are objective and truthful. But collecting data is done via platforms with all kinds of underlying values, that are not always visible.’

Which kinds of values? And are these public values? Can the data work for people?’

At the Biennale of Urbanism and Architecture in Shenzhen in China, Martijn attended the exhibition ‘Eyes of the City’, where he found three interpretations on the usage of data:

  1. Using data to map the lives of people and with the data, force them to live life according to rules and punish them if you do not oblige the rules. One of the main examples is face recognition in China.
  2. Luxurious capitalism. Collecting large amounts of data on citizens and use these to offer services. Even services people don’t know they need until they are offered to them. For example, offer a coffee to people on the streets at the moment you know they would like a cup of coffee due to the data that you collected about them. There is a downside for people working in the platform economy who have to be available, according to the data.
  3. In Shenzhen, companies got into contact with migrants living in a certain area. Together they collected data about bottlenecks in their lives. It helped people to show authorities they exist. The data collected are not objective, but it could be a starting point for discussion.

Policy based on data, data based on policy

In research, the usage of data is really important. Even more when policies are based on the data obtained during these studies. However, according to Caroline Nevejan, Chief Science Officer at the City of Amsterdam, you have to be transparent about the sources you used, data that are collected, and start a discussion about which statements could be seen as true or false. In a democracy everybody has to take a part in this process, which is of extreme importance in a world full of propaganda and fake news. In one of her researches, City Rhythm, she analyses the real world and the digital world and the interaction between these two. She addresses questions such as; can we trust data and can we use data for good? How can the digital world can become a part of the physical world? An example of this is, can people who like gardening can use the help of people who don't like gardening, but do like measuring and predicting growth of plants?

Arjan Widlak, director of the Kafka brigade, researches bureaucratic dysfunctioning: ‘Bureaucracy is a great asset, it ensures that all kinds of values materialize - such as legal certainty, integrity, but often this goes the wrong way. Some organizations do the opposite of what they should do. There is indifference without a much needed check.' The Kafka Brigade wants to come to manageable knowledge and people that care about bureaucracy. What kind of system are we creating when we digitalize the government? We are caught in a system of possibilities and impossibilities, where principles of responsible IT should be defined and carried out.

How do we make sure that these principles are put into practice?

Arjan: 'For example, when you drive too fast, you will be flashed. This is done automatically, as is the determination of the fine and the envelope that will be sent to you. It seems like there are no humans involved in the process. Although we might not all understand how this system works, we have a high trust in the way it functions. You have done something wrong and result is a fine. The confidence in the operation of the system is great because it functions without people and people are unreliable. But ultimately people are involved. There is a policy behind this process and people decide what is legal and what is not. Certainly, due to affairs and scandals, it is not certain whether the confidence in these techniques is still so big. So data are not objective. These are human creatures. You cannot take the people out, then you will lose ethics and the discussion about what is wrong or right.'

Constutional state and education

Caroline: ‘Data collecting functions in the constitutional state, in the city. Collect, acquire, return data has to be done according to certain laws. You can also go to court if this is done wrong. The European Rules for Data Protection (GDPR) are essential for the protection of personal data collected by companies. Companies now say, give us more rules because this works for us. We can do better business. So business runs better in a democracy’ .

Caroline continues: “Another aspect we have to look at is how data scientists are trained. What do they learn? It is staggering to see how data science education in university only has one course on responsible innovation. In collecting data we only talk about ethics, never about the rule of law. Business is always about social entrepreneurship, never about trade unions. In education, we create data scientists who have only one side of the knowledge, but get all the power. Because we did not teach the system designers how to think about democracy, power and the inequality of power.”

Martijn: ‘Yes, people in Silicon Valley work in a one-dimensional way. But this will change. There is more and more attention for ethics because students also ask for it. They want to contribute to society.’

Arjan: 'It is interesting how this also goes for the background of civil servants. This has a major influence on how the government functions. A long time ago, as a civil servant it was common practice to know something about constitutional law. You had to understand that values get meaning to each other.' Caroline: ‘Place this standards frame to the forefront again. Democracy and privacy by design. This makes it possible to discuss the interpretation of meaning.’

What can the current timeframe learn us?

Miriam: ‘We learned the value of not using tech all day. I hope we can remember it.’

Caroline: ‘Ask more questions every day. Even if you take something for granted.’

Arjan: ‘Yes, ask more questions. We can strive for privacy by design, but what does that mean? I plea for critical citizenship.’

Martijn: ‘This time showed us a revaluation for public space and values. Public space is suddenly used a lot more. What can that look like online?’

According to Amsterdam Smart City, the discussion of this evening is exactly the discussion that needs to take place. Collecting data is very useful to work on the challenges in our cities. But we have to be aware that these data are not neutral and we have to have a discussion about the issues and if the data are necessary to help solving the issues. Can we work on public values with the data? This asks for a collaboration between the public and private sector, something we work on every day. Amsterdam Smart City always puts public value first: innovating together and transparent, using each other’s expertise, with the resident at the centre.

Do you want to watch the full episode? You can watch it here (in Dutch):

[##### Tech for Society #4: Dataïsme: Is de wereld te vangen in data?

Wie heeft gelijk als de computer het fout heeft?

Pakhuis de Zwijger](https://dezwijger.nl/programma/dataisme-is-de-wereld-te-vangen-in-data%20%20%20)

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Amsterdam Smart City, Connector of opportunities at Amsterdam Smart City, posted

Tech for Society recap – vital networks

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Last Friday, the third edition of the Tech for Society series was launched in Pakhuis de Zwijger: the livestream series about the role of technology in a society that is under pressure of the corona crisis. In this edition the panel discussed about various aspects in vital networks in our society. Because one thing the corona crisis made clear, we are depending on a lot of networks: electricity, heating, internet. And what happens if they disappear or break down?

Martijntje Smits, technology philosopher kicks off the livecast by explaining how there are a lot of vital networks in our society. We are not even aware of the amount. People only realize this when they disappear. In history we set up our own networks, such as heating our houses or growing our own food. However, humanity decided to outsource these systems and make a big system. At the end of the 19th century we decided to give governments control over these systems, so that they would be accessible for everybody.

Democracy of networks

Pallas Agterberg, strategy manager of grid operator Alliander and part of the steering committee of Amsterdam Smart City: ‘This decision is still visible in our energy grid. The electricity grid is owned by public organizations, provinces. However, data networks have private owners. For smart metering an exception was made, and there are more exceptions, for example the police and defence have their own non-public networks. However, to set up a separate organization for every vital connection is way too expensive.’

But the fact remains that we are fully dependent on the private sector when it comes to the digital infrastructure. For example, there are no optical fiber connections in Amsterdam because this is commercially not interesting. Why wouldn’t we make the government owner of the hardware and cables in the ground? Then we have democratic check. All the data traffic can be done by private companies, just like the energy networks. Alliander, a utility company, controls the grid and other companies such as energy suppliers, can arrange data services. This way the stability of the grid is guaranteed and people can choose the suppliers they want.

Limitations to the network

Very often, we didn’t know we needed an innovation until it was developed. We didn’t know we needed cars and now we can’t imagine the world without a car industry and traffic jams. There are limitations to the infrastructure. Physically that is very clear, with the traffic jams and the impossibility of cutting more trees to build roads. Pallas: ‘In the energy grid, the same developments are going on. The grid was designed in 1870. If we install too many solar panels, the system will be stuck. Expanding the grid is possible, but not unlimited. Therefore it is more wise to install solar panels on your roof instead of making big solar fields. Then the grid doesn’t have to expand to these fields (which costs a lot of time and money).’ In technology however, the situation is different. It seems as if digital networks don’t have any boundaries. Martijntje: ‘There is this utopia of setting up a digital world, a belief in arranging everything digitally. But we pay a price for this, we need an enormous amount of energy and natural resources. Networks cannot grow uncontrolled, even though they seem to.’

Joshua Serrao, of the taskforce Digital Safety of the City of Amsterdam, explains how the city is preparing for the limitations of the digital network: ‘We think about the limitations and vulnerabilities of the networks and anticipate on the risks. We even developed a simulation game, in case our systems get hacked. We have to take into account the possibility of not being able to use electricity for a while, data from citizens can get stolen or communications layers will be switched off.’ We are often not aware of the vulnerabilities because we cannot see the crucial infrastructures. Joshua: ‘It is really important for Amsterdam to collaborate more with the private sector and set up a basic level of security, maybe set up security by design in all kinds of processes.’ Martijntje: ‘To have a robust infrastructure, means we also need alternatives. We cannot control everything and manage all risks. So to protect vital networks, we basically need two things: 1. prevention, set up independent networks and 2. Risk management. Set up back-ups or think of (analogue) alternatives. And a robust systems needs a vision on democracy. Big, efficient systems are vulnerable, what does society need from these systems?’

Zoom in on policy

Marietje Schaake, president of the The Cyberpeace Institute and former member of the European Parliament has this vision. According to her, digitalization and privatization led to new vulnerabilities. A lot of organizations in the public sector, for example hospitals, use old versions of commercial software. They don’t update these because that is not their priority. And it usually costs a lot of money. But this makes our public sector defenceless and weak. And certainly in these times, they are extremely important. We have to strengthen them. Marietje: ‘We discussed this often in the European Parliament, but member states usually don’t want to share these responsibilities. They want a digital market with good connections, but take decisions on risks and safety on a local level, because this is their national security. We need more collaboration on cybersecurity. But this will take a long time, if capital cities don’t want it, the EU can’t do anything.’

‘In the European Union we are looking for laws and regulations to protect the states in the digital domain. We need a vision on the collective interest, on digitalization and AI. And hopefully we will see this in the policy as well. Today it is not clear how to apply existing laws and regulations on digitalization and what new laws should do. How to control AI? Who is in the end responsible for developments in the digital domain? And which vital networks should be into the hands of the public sector? This should be more clear. Start with transparency’, she concludes.

According to Amsterdam Smart City, the discussion of this evening is exactly the discussion that needs to take place. We are all so dependent on vital networks, the owners of these networks should be transparent about them. This asks for a collaboration between the public and private sector, something we work on every day. Amsterdam Smart City always puts public value first: innovating together and transparent, using each other’s expertise, with the resident at the centre.

Do you want to watch the full episode? You can watch it here (in Dutch):

[##### Tech for Society #3: Vitale netwerken

Van wie is de technologie waar we op vertrouwen en is dat wel terecht?

Pakhuis de Zwijger](https://dezwijger.nl/programma/vitale-netwerken)

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Pieter de Jong, Project Manager , posted

Webinar: Hoe maken we de 1,5m. samenleving smart én democratisch?

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Het klinkt als een tegenstelling: een anderhalvemetersamenleving die smart én democratisch is. Toch moet het. Hoe we dat doen, bespreken we woensdag tijdens het webinar dat we aanstaande woensdag houden in samenwerking met de gemeente Apeldoorn.

Datum: woensdag 20 mei
Tijd: 15.30 – 17.00 uur
Uitgevoerd via: Webex
Voor wie: voor overheden, bedrijven en technologieprofessionals die willen samenwerken aan slimme en leefbare regio’s, steden en dorpen.
Voertaal: Nederlands

Deelnemen is kosteloos.
Klik hier om te registreren

Waarom urgent? >> Om het coronavirus te bestrijden is het belangrijk dat we meer afstand houden. Technologische hulpmiddelen kunnen daar bij helpen.
>> Maar dat moet dan wel democratisch.
>> De vraag is hoe we dat doenDaarover gaat het woensdag.

Wie spreken er? >> De inleiding over de anderhalvemetersamenleving wordt gegeven door Jan-Willem Wesselink, programmamanger van de Future City Foundation. Hij schreef er onlangs deze blog over.
>> Daarna bekijken we het onderwerp door de democratische bril. SETUP kijkt door een kritische bril naar technologie en onderzoeker Rianne Riemens en directeur Jelle van der Ster bekijken ook zo deze nieuwe ontwikkeling.

Programma 15.30 u – welkom door Kai Stam (gemeente Apeldoorn)
15.45 u – Inleiding Jan-Willem Wesselink (Future City Foundation)
16.00 u – Inleiding Rianne Riemens en Jelle van der Ster (SETUP)
16.30 u – Vragen & discussie
17.00 u – Einde programma

Pieter de Jong's picture Online event on May 20th
Amsterdam Smart City, Connector of opportunities at Amsterdam Smart City, posted

Tech for Society – can an app save the world?

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Last Friday, the second edition of the Tech for Society series was launched in Pakhuis de Zwijger: the livestream series about the role of technology in a society that is under pressure of the corona crisis . With this time a special focus on the contact-tracing apps. What do you think: can an app save the world?

Last Friday, the second edition of the Tech for Society series was launched in Pakhuis de Zwijger: the livestream series about the role of technology in a society that is under pressure of the corona crisis. With this time a special focus on the contact-tracing apps. What do you think: can an app save the world?

Why is tracking, contact-research, of an infectious person so important in times of corona? Mariska Petrignani, infection control doctor at GGD (public health service), explains: “GGD’s most important work at the moment is finding out who’s been in contact with an infected person to prevent rapid spreading of the infection. We do this by relying on the memory of the infected person. But there are always contacts you can’t recall or don’t know by name, for instance people you saw in the supermarket or public transport. But the question we have to ask is: to what extent are these people at risk for exposure and on what level do they contribute to the transmission of the disease?" There’s a lot of scientific discussion surrounding this topic.

According to Mariska, GPS-tracking, which can be recorded via an app, can help but doesn’t cover all relevant information. Is there a wall between you and the person you are in contact with? That is the type of information you need to know as well.

Michiel Heidenrijk, director of the Amsterdam Health & Technology Institute, adds to the discussion: “Can an app save the world? There is not one silver bullet, you need a combination of different therapies/solutions. Technology and data can offer parts of the solution.”. Mariska adds: “A common problem is that people can’t recall exactly where they have been. Technology can help. There are many ways to support this and it doesn’t have to be a contact-tracking app. For instance you can use your phone as a digital agenda to log your movements. We should think about other smart, digital solutions.”. Michiel: “We should embrace technology, use data, but it should be used in a sufficient and reliable way.”.

Hannes Grassegger, tech-journalist based in Zurich, sketches the European perspective. After a two week testing period of a contact-tracing app in Zurich, the app will be launched mid-June in Swiss. It’s completely voluntary, but hosted by the federal government, which is highly trusted by the public.

But isn’t it time for a broader European strategy? Hannes explains that coming week E-health will publish guidelines for the European common strategy for contact-tracing apps, to align the European members. E-health does not see the app itself as a major tool to bring back the freedom of movement between the member states, but they try to develop a framework to avoid the app becoming an obstacle to reintegrating the freedom of movement within Europe. Hannes: “If we have different states within Europe using different apps, there is need to have a set of common ground rules.”.

Lotje Siffels, philosopher in technology, conducts research on the influence of big-tech companies in the healthcare sector. She wants to stipulate two important discussion points: i) Technology is often seen as THE solution to the whole problem, while the problem is a lot more complex. It almost seems like the exit strategy is entirely depending on the use of contract-tracing apps. While this is certainly not the case; ii) Privacy is broadly mentioned within the discussion, but there are so much more social values that have to be discussed as well. Think about autonomy or democratic values. As an example Lotje mentions the ‘zwaai-app’: “If you meet someone or accidentally bump into someone, you wave with your phone and the data of the other person is saved. This helps you log your movements while being conscious of the data that is stored. You give a level of autonomy back to the people, because they are the ones consciously keeping track of their own encounters.” Active participation can also be part of the solution.

Lotte Houwing, policy advisor at Bits of Freedom, is the last speaker of the evening and raises questions surrounding the necessity of such an app. Do we actually want this app? What exactly is the problem we need solved? What are the advantages and disadvantages? What is the impact on our society? She adds that these questions need to be answered first before we can assess if an app is indeed the right tool to implement.

The discussion of this evening is exactly the discussion that needs to take place. Amsterdam Smart City beliefs in technology as a means, never as a goal. Before thinking about contact-tracking apps, the right questions need to be raised and answered. Amsterdam Smart City always puts public value first: innovating together and openly, using each other’s expertise, with the resident at the centre.

Do you want to watch the full episode? You can watch it here (in Dutch): <https://dezwijger.nl/programma/kan-een-app-de-wereld-redden>

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Wendolijn Beukers, Project manager , posted

Pitchcarrousel - (Realtime) Data verzamelen

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We hoeven u niet meer te vertellen dat data ons inzicht kan geven in hoe een (deel van een) gemeente er voor staat (zie webinar Data & Beleid). En we willen tegelijkertijd onze publieke waarden beschermen in de slimme stad (zie webinar Belangen borgen in de digitaliserende gemeente). Maar hoe kom je aan data die je nodig hebt om beleid te meten, te voorspellen en te monitoren? Er is natuurlijk open data, maar als dat niet voldoende is dan zijn er tal van andere toepassingen om data te verzamelen.

Om u een indruk te geven wat er allemaal mogelijk is en op de markt is, organiseren we een pitchcarrousel op woensdag 29 april om 15.00 uur met 4 bedrijven die u wegwijs maken in het verzamelen van de juiste data voor uw beleid.

Meld u hier aan voor de pitchcarrousel

Dit kunt u verwachten

  • 4 pitches van producten/diensten waarmee uw gemeente (realtime) data kan verzamelen voor een (deel van een) beleidsvraagstuk.
  • Concrete smart city oplossingen voor de uitdagingen waar gemeenten of provincies tegenaan lopen (fysiek, sociaal en economisch).
  • Meet & Greet met pitchers in virtuele subzalen en ontdek de mogelijkheden voor uw vraagstuk.

Realtime Omgevingsbeleid
Deze pitchcarrousel is onderdeel van het project Realtime Omgevingsbeleid waarin we onderzoeken hoe inzicht in data de manier verandert waarop beslissingen worden voorbereid en genomen. Dat doen we samen met een netwerk op van bedrijven en overheden. De volgende partijen doen er al mee of hebben serieuze interesse: Civity, DHM Infra, ELBA\REC, Kennedy Van Der Laan, VodafoneZiggo, Provincies Zuid-Holland en Utrecht, gemeenten Zwolle, Apeldoorn, Amersfoort, Krimpen aan den IJssel.

Hoe kunt u deelnemen?
Deelnemen is gratis en eenvoudig: klik hier om u te registreren voor de pitchcarrousel. U krijgt woensdagochtend een link om deel te nemen aan het webinar. Voor het webinar maken we gebruik van Discord. Als u zich registreert dan ontvangt u ook een uitnodiging voor de komende webinars.

Wilt u graag uw product of dienst pitchen?
Neem dan contact op met Wendolijn Beukers (wendolijn@future-city.nl). Zet in uw email kort uiteen wat uw product of dienst inhoudt en hoe een gemeente met uw product/dienst data kan verzamelen en met welk doel. Wij maken een selectie van inzendingen. Over de selectie wordt niet gecorrespondeerd.

Wendolijn Beukers's picture Online event on Apr 29th
Wendolijn Beukers, Project manager , posted

Webinar: Belangen borgen in de digitaliserende gemeente

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Door corona-volg-apps, social distancing-apps en surveillance drones laait de discussie op over privacy en het borgen van andere publieke waarden. Wie heeft het eigenaarschap over data, wat vinden we acceptabel en onder welke omstandigheden? Kortom hoe ben je slim én borg je tegelijk ook de publieke belangen? In het webinar ‘Belangen borgen in de digitaliserende gemeente’ onderzoeken we de ethische kant van smart city, en legt Anita Nijboer (partner bij Kennedy Van der Laan) uit hoe we de democratische waarden in de smart city kunnen borgen.

Datum: woensdag 22 april
Tijd: 15.00 – 16.00 uur
Uitgevoerd: via Webex, aanmelden via https://future-city.nl/webinar-22-april/

Hoe kunt u deelnemen?
Deelnemen is gratis en eenvoudig: klik hier om u te registreren voor het webinar: https://future-city.nl/webinar-22-april/ U krijgt woensdagochtend een link om deel te nemen aan het webinar. Voor het webinar maken we gebruik van Webex. Als u zich registreert dan ontvangt u ook een uitnodiging voor de komende webinars.

Wendolijn Beukers's picture Online event on Apr 22nd
Wendolijn Beukers, Project manager , posted

Online Get-Together #6: Smart City Lessons From South Korea

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In South Korea the smart city is already becoming reality. With the first project in Songdo and a new governmental project in Busan: an unique platform-based smart city. What can we learn from South Korea’s smart city approach and how can their demand create a new market for businesses worldwide. Join us Thursday 23 April for the 6th Online Get-Together. A special morning edition at 9 AM (CET) with special guest Jong-Sung Hwang, Master Planner of the Smart City of Busan in South Korea.

Participation is free, all you need to do is bring your own drink and snack and you will be good to go. Signup here: https://future-city.nl/online-get-together-23-april/

Busan Eco Delta Smart City

Busan Eco Delta City aims to become an international hub and a waterfront ecological city where the history, nature, and people coexist in harmony and joy. The city has 4 major objectives:

1 – Smart Life for Future – Spatial planning to enable smart living Smart streets connecting the nature, people and technology
2 – Smart Link for Sharing – Environmental benefits of the city shared by everyone 5-minute access to water and green from anywhere in the city
3 – Smart Place for Everyone – Inclusive city for diversity for QOL Cultural Front (culture + waterfront)
4 – Urban Planning for Smart City – Five-innovations cluster to create decent jobs Operational base for the city as a platform View below a short impression of the Busan Eco Delta Smart City.
Jong-Sung Hwang, Master Planner of the Smart City of Busan will illustrate how these key ideas are realized and which challenges they face in the process of designing. In addition we will look at the experiences South Korea has had with COVID-19 and previously with the epidemics MERS and SARS, and how this has led to more digitalisation of the cities.

His talk will be followed by a Q&A session where it will be possible to ask your questions. We look forward to an interactive online event, after which we will raise our glasses together!

How Do You Participate?
Registration is free and simple: Click here to register for the event. You will then receive an email with the link to take part at 9 AM (CET) on Thursday 23 April. Participation is free of charge and the online event will be in English.

Wendolijn Beukers's picture Online event on Apr 23rd
Siddharth Daswani, posted

Participants needed for a fun virtual session about responsible technologies in public spaces.

Do you wish to live in a world where everything you do is being monitored by the government like the world described by George Orwell in his novel 1984 or how about be sent to jail before even committing a crime like in the movie and novel Minority Report? I think not then what kind of world do you want to live in? It is a fact that smart technologies are here and governments usage of them is an inevitable future and if we wish for them to use these technologies responsibly then we must first ourselves must know how they should be used. Come be part of a fun virtual session where I will help you reflect a bit on what you desire from your city and in turn, you help me a design master student with his graduation thesis. To participate you can fill this form: https://form.jotform.com/200902554050039 and for the information, you reach out to me

Siddharth Daswani's picture #DigitalCity