A team of King's Informatics researchers launched a new project with Westminster City Council, the local government entity responsible for the Strand-Aldwych redevelopment. The team is creating a pilot for the Strand-Aldwych data springboard, an innovative data sharing initiative that will deliver innovative solutions with local data that benefit those who are part of or affected by this data, while also educating all these stakeholders about the benefits of data sharing.

 

The project was conceived through their shared work as part of the Smart Working Group, where we explore opportunities to innovate with data during and beyond the completion of the redevelopment, and its combination with the Informatics researchers expertise in data innovation and AI, through projects such as Data Pitch, Data Stories, MediaFutures, and EUHubs4Data.

The team is working with both public and private stakeholders of the redevelopment, as well as the general public, to explore the challenges and opportunities the springboard could address. The team runs a series of workshops to discuss how the different local stakeholders could benefit from data sharing, what challenges we should focus on, how it should approach questions of data ethics, and what legal framework would be most suitable to achieve these goals

The first workshop on 13 May identified key challenges, including increased efficiencies, supporting local businesses and governance, making data interoperable, and establishing accessible feedback routes. Participants identified a series of relevant datasets, including traffic flows and footfall data, weather and pollen forecasts, and accessibility. Ethical challenges were seen primarily in ensuring that the springboard has core values embedded in its framework, including a duty of care for those who might be affected by the data, and especially does not put vulnerable groups at risk.

The team will continue the discussion with workshops for the rest of the year. If you would like to participate get in touch!