IBM has developed a website called City Forward to collect and compare data from cities around the world. The goal is to allow users to access city data, compare metrics between cities, and discuss issues. IBM experimented with different interfaces and filters to refine how users can select cities and topics. They are also looking at other open data projects for inspiration on how citizens can use public data.

1. cityforward.org
IBM’s City Forward
Dave Rook, Jeff Berg
February 15, 2014

2. An IBM Corporate Citizenship website
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3. Corporate Citizenship Sponsors City Forward
IBM has developed a thoughtful, comprehensive approach to corporate citizenship that aligns with
IBM’s values and maximizes the impact we can make as a global enterprise. We focus on specific
societal issues, including the environment, community economic development, education, health,
literacy, language and culture.
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4. City Forward collects data for many cities from
sources around the world
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5. User interface goals
Provide city data from around the globe
Allow the user to compare cities
Allow the user to connect, discuss and take action
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6. Selecting cities and subjects
First attempt “Global Filters”
Let the user choose anything
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7. Let's try some business logic
Second attempt “FRED” (Filters Redesigned)
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13. Can we solve this with the interface?
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17. A more direct route
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20. Next steps
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21. Data Catalog
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22. There are many players in the open data movement –
governments, non-profits, tool makers and developers
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23. Take a look at what other people are doing with
open data.
Data.gov apps
https://www.data.gov/applications
Code for America
http://www.codeforamerica.org/apps/
Digital Chicago
http://digital.cityofchicago.org/index.php/open-data-applications/
Open City
http://opencityapps.org/#projects
Beyond Transparency
http://beyondtransparency.org/
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24. cityforward.org
Thank you.