chapter 02_On Real-time Urbanism

Chelsea Brown

case study 01: Color Forecast

This urban visualization falls within the category of embedded sensor data collection. Data is collected to determine the current color worn most by people in three of Europes fashion capitals. The website then presents the data as the current color for each city. Interaction with the site reveals more information. The site is intended to be a resource in deciding which color to wear on any given day.

http://www.pimkiecolorforecast.com/

case study 01: Color Forecast

Real time video of recordings of Europes fashion capitals are used to trace movement of passersby. Software is then used to pixelate frames of the video and determine the frequency of colored pixels, which is then used to determine the color of the moment found in clothing. http://www.pimkiecolorforecast.com/

case study 01: Color Forecast

The data is then presented in a series of color time tables: yesterdays, last weeks and last months colors. This type of real time data collection can be used to make predictions in fashion for color trends; it can also be used to gain insight into the social culture of the city. For example, on a Sunday in Milan the color worn most often was a bright green, while the rest of the week a dull red. The collected data could be used to influence the fashion market. If scaled, the data could compare many cities, not only Europes fashion capitals. This type of data does however risk being merely a superficial understanding of urbanity.

http://www.pimkiecolorforecast.com/

case study 02_LiquiData

LiquiData combines viral sensing with user input to create a visual and interactive smartphone application. It allows users to create movement profiles that can be traced on a map and shared with other users.

http://www.liquidata.org/en/index.php

case study 02_LiquiData

LiquiData uses the gps capabilities of smartphones to track the users movement through a city. When placed upon a multitouch table, the users path is then projected as a kind of liquid of movement across the city. Snappers then extend from the smartphone to public attractions and amenities found within the fluid, for example all of the parks, restaurants, and theaters one passed may be highlighted. The user can then share their experience through comments or images by sliding the information from their smartphone to the map on the multitouch table. This shared information is available to other LuquiData users.

http://www.liquidata.org/en/index.php

case study 02_LiquiData

Replication and scalability of this application is dependent upon the multitouch table. If multitouch tables are made inexpensive and replicable, they could be placed in parks, restaurants, and museums as moments for connection between users. Users would then act and react with their liquid area of movement, while leaving a virtual record for future occupants of that zone.

http://www.liquidata.org/en/index.php

case study 03_Timemaps by Graph[s]ic

Timemaps is a viral sensing data visualization based on the notion that time is of greater concern than geographical location. The map illustrates the time it takes to travel between two points in the Netherlands, and deforms the map of the Netherlands based on the users input.

http://app.timemaps.nl/map

case study 03_Timemaps

The visualization reduces complex information, Netherlands transportation infrastructure, into a simple cohesive graphic that is easily navigable. User can select their start and end points, as well as the time of day of their travel. The maps then changes shape to reflect the time distance of the travel specified. Users can identify specific locations as favorites and zoom into the map to see distances at a variety of scales.

http://app.timemaps.nl/map

case study 03_Timemaps

If scaled, he project could incorporate user generated data, including memorable point along the commute. The concept of time mapping could also be applied to historical change through cities and could become an interactive feature at museums or in significant public urban space.

http://app.timemaps.nl/map

case study 04_SoundAffects NYC by Tellart

A 10-day interactive installation that encouraged new forms of interaction with the urban environment, SoundAffects recorded data to generate real time music. Embedded with sensors, SoundAffects was a wall that listened to the city through the collection of audible noise in addition to temperature readings, color analysis of video feeds, precipitation measurements, noise levels, cellular phone activity/interference, and proximity sensors.

http://tellart.com/projects/soundaffects-nyc/

case study 04_SoundAffects

The recorded data was fed through the SoundAffects generative music algorithm and visualizer system. Passersby could access the music and visuals through the internet on their mobile phones. The wall actuated the built environment and transformed the ambient noise of the built environment into an expressive environment.

http://tellart.com/projects/soundaffects-nyc/

case study 04_SoundAffects

At the time of the installation, the music was accessed directly through the wall and the remotely through its website. It has sense been uninstalled, both physically and virtually. In considering scalability or replication, remote sound posts dispersed throughout city could replace the single wall. For example a plug-in post could be installed adjacent to a bench in a park, that way one could sit on a bench, plug in her head phones, listen to a musical composition specific to that exact location. This would encourage interaction with singular moments throughout the city; if coupled with geo-caching it could become a tool for discovering the city.

http://tellart.com/projects/soundaffects-nyc/

case study 04_SoundAffects

SoundAffects won a Core 77 Design Award in 2012. The jury described the project as, a completely innovative function and of great impact to the city and it inhabitants, changing its aspect in a small scale depending on where it is mounted, and turning a small passageway, a sidewalk, in a refuge open to the senses and emotions, be they visual, sensorial or auditive. A really beautiful and poetic project!

http://www.core77designawards.com/2012/recipients/soundaffects-nyc/

case study 05_Dotspotting by Stamen

Dotspotting is the first step in a larger project, Citytracking, which enables users to gather data about their cities and to create easy-to-read visuals. This data collection project is an effort to make data clear and available to all. The website presents step-by-step instructions for getting involved and examples of maps created from previously submitted data. This project actuates people to take part in the knowledge domain of their cities.

http://dotspotting.org/

case study 05_Dotspotting

The initial step of data collection, dotspotting, is the creation of a baseline that's really straightforward, tackling the simplest part: getting dots on maps, without legacy code or any baggage. Just that, to start. Dots on maps. http://dotspotting.org/

case study 05_Dotspotting

Users are asked to upload location data in any variety of formats (CSV, RSS, or excel) that best suit their abilities. The code for dotspotting is made public, and the locations are then plotted in a consistent graphic language, and tagged to each user as a map. Users can then download the maps theyve created or the maps created by others. This process is dependent upon the information provided by users. Increased public involvement in dotspotting will increase the amount of information available. As this is an on-going project, the development of data will be critical to the projects success.

http://dotspotting.org/

case study 05_Dotspotting

http://dotspotting.org/