This event is postponed to September 26 (was first scheduled on July 16)
We often take daily activities such as commuting to work, independently taking public transport, grocery shopping or going to a restaurant for granted. Unfortunately, not everyone has this privilege. For people with reduced mobility (e.g., wheelchair users), getting around Amsterdam can be tricky. There are a lot of obstacles, such as narrow or bumpy pavements and high curbs.
The municipality of Amsterdam wants to be a free, just and sustainable city for all. For which the accessibility of the city is essential. With the Amsterdam for All initiative, the municipality of Amsterdam researches and experiments with how data and AI can be leveraged to ensure accessibility for its residents. How can the data and AI help to make our city more accessible for all? And which kind of dilemma’s does the city come across?
To help people with less mobility move around the city more easily, the city’s innovation department has created a prototype route planning tool. This route planner maps out the best accessible route for each person based on what they need. It considers preferences like maximum curb height when crossing the road, minimum sidewalk width, and a preference for using sidewalks or bike paths. Vishruth Krishnan, Data Scientist at the Innovation department of the municipality of Amsterdam, will tell you all about this route planner, the necessary data and the dilemma’s faces while using the data.
Hans Voerknecht, strategist for sustainable accessibility at Een Nieuwe Kijk, will speak about the Integrated Perspective on Accessibility method, which he developed to improve accessibility for people. This method assists in collecting data and analyzing the severity of current inequalities and the effects of policy measures. The method has already been applied in nearly twenty projects, including four in the Amsterdam region, such as the Multimodal Future Vision of the Metropoolregio Amsterdam (MRA).
Additionally, Michiel Bontenbal (Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences) tells us more about the Urban Sounds sensor, developed in collaboration with the volunteer organization Sensemakers. He takes us through the challenges they face with this AI-driven solution and presents his question: How can this technical solution best be used around the issue of accessibility?
Agenda
- 15:45 – 16:00 Walk-in
- 16:00 – 16:10 Welcome and introduction by Amsterdam InChange (formerly known as Amsterdam Smart City)
- 16:10 – 16:25 Demo of the Route Planner by Vishruth Krishnan (municipality of Amsterdam)
- 16:25 – 16:35 Hans Voerknecht, strategist for sustainable accessibility, on the Integrated Perspective on Accessibility method.
- 16:35 – 16:45 Michiel Bontenbal from Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences about the Urban Sounds sensor.
- 16:45 – 17:15 panel discussion
- 17:15 – 18:00 drinks
Location
The Culture Club, Amsterdam
About the Data Dilemma’s series
Data Dilemmas is a collaboration between Amsterdam InChange and the City of Amsterdam’s Data Lab. Four times a year we explore the possibilities for using data and new technologies to address urban and societal challenges, with a focus on responsible digitalization. The goal is to use data to make cities more safe, clean and accessible. But what happens to all the data that is collected? Which dilemmas do we encounter when we collect (personal) data to improve the city? These questions are important for everyone: governments, knowledge institutions, companies, and civil society. Amsterdam InChange would like to explore with you which decisions are needed for responsible use of data.
It's crucial to recognize the challenges faced by individuals with reduced mobility in urban settings like Amsterdam, where narrow pavements and high curbs can pose significant barriers. The Amsterdam for All initiative underscores the city's commitment to inclusivity and sustainability, utilizing data and AI to enhance accessibility. By developing tools like the prototype route planner, which considers specific mobility needs and preferences, Amsterdam aims to empower residents with disabilities to navigate the city more independently and safely. However, implementing such innovations also involves navigating dilemmas related to data privacy, algorithm bias, and ensuring equitable access to technology-driven solutions across diverse communities.