Mapping the future Better use of data through location
SUPPORT ordnancesurvey . co . uk
Mapping the future Better use of data through location
Miranda Sharp Head of Smart Cities Practice , Ordnance Survey
Miranda heads the collaborative research and development team building demonstrators and growing start-ups using place-based insights to seize emerging opportunities
Have you ever moved home and taken your furniture with you , squeezed an awkward sofa into a room , then made everything fit so that it begins to feel like home ? If you have , then you ’ ve undertaken a basic introduction to the practicalities of geospatial data .
Now , scale that up and imagine you ’ re responsible for a local authority that covers a vast expanse of land , buildings and the various assets contained within . You ’ re interested in becoming Smart and want to see what new and emerging technologies can do to drive efficiencies and improve the delivery of services to your communities and citizens .
Take reducing air pollution as an example . How do you take advantage of the readings taken by citizen scientists ? Where do you place your pollution sensing technologies for full effect ? Does the infrastructure exist to house them , or do you need to invest and build it – and if so , how , where and at what cost ?
When it comes to planning , building and maintaining like this , it ’ s easy to understand why accurate and up-to-date geospatial data is vital to these and the other types of projects that seek to improve our quality of life and futureproof our settlements .
Smart initiatives need Information Streams
Through our work in Great Britain and around the world it has become clear how Smart initiatives require streams of
32 | UKSPA breakthrough | WINTER 2017