DATAFIED PUBLIC SPACES - DESIGN AS RESEARCH II - AADRL

DATAFIED PUBLIC SPACES AYA RIAD

DATAFIED PUBLIC SPACES Design as Research 2

Tutors Robert Stuart – Smith Tutors (Synthesis) Doreen Bernath Alexandra Vougia Student Aya Riad Submission Date 24th of March 2016

ABSTRACT

In our modern time, information and data are growing exponentially in volume, variety and speed of transmission. New techniques are constantly emerging to store, access, analyze and visualize these data as a base for design processes. The capture of real-time data meant that design is not a definite solution rather an ongoing enquiry of optimization and reaction to present stimuli. The visualization and realization of this data is no longer in the form of static matter but instead of a material that is capable of processing these data and reacting to them appropriately.

Moreover, this material would be able to learn from past patterns of data hence creating evolving spaces. Some contemporary applications have found novel ways in utilizing data to create and design public spaces that are dependent on the information it picks up. From mapping out cities using real-time cellphones data to track population motion, activities and moods. The dynamic, real-time visualization produced says a lot about human behaviors in different locations which creates the opportunity for designers and planners to create places that are better attuned to the people who use them, by better understanding their needs. They could understand complex relationships between different variables, such as how people respond to traffic, weather, or public events. Several advanced technologies have been applied to be able to capture and sense those data. These include: specialized video capturing cameras, 3D scanners, social networks, telecommunication and the power of wifi. The project ‘After Life’ is discussed as a successful example of collecting and utilizing data resulting in an engaging, interactive public space. In addition, data and privacy is an important topic covered by this paper, while still emphasizing the value of data and how it should not be completely restricted from designers to utilize.

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OUTLINE

01. INTRODUCTION -DATA EXPLOSION 02. DATA

IN PUBLIC SPACES

NOW AND THEN 03. THE

p. 3

p. 4

SPACE AND USER DIALOGUE

DATA GATHERING TECHNIQUES & SPACIAL RESPONSES 04. ‘ANOTHER

LIFE’

GIVING LIFE TO RAW DATA IN PUBLIC 05. DATA

p. 6

& PRIVACY

p. 10 p. 12

06. CONCLUSION

p. 12

07. BIBILIOGRAPHY

p. 13

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INTRODUCTION DATA EXPLOSION

“Every single day over 2.5 quintillion bytes of data are created by humans.” 1 – Big Bang Data The world is currently exploring a phase of data explosion. Google searches, social media, emails, shopping transactions, dating profiles, just to name a few, are sets of data that have come to define an individual. The overall drastic shift in the quantity, speed and variety of the data being produced, and the emerging techniques to store, access and process them, have come to define a time of data proliferation. This phenomenon is revolutionizing the way we do things in our world that is radically morphing. From the way we carry out scientific research to the way we strategize our businesses, the way we interact with the environment and socialize with one another.

Our data-driven society has developed new standards of

efficiency, reaction time, control, and mass surveillance. Cities are adopting smart city technologies to analyze real time information from data to improve services such as transport and health, and provide an elevated quality of life through engaging public spaces which are an essential component of any great city. Public spaces bring people together to recreate, socialize, and work. In addition, it becomes an attraction bringing in people to that city, building up relations, bringing in innovative ideas and fuels the economy. The ability to gain real-time, continuous 24/7 quantitative data of public life is now a reality with the appearance of embedded sensor infrastructure, the surge of social networks and the increase in sophistication of smartphones. This opens up new methods in approaching designing public spaces and maintaining them that should be utilized wisely with the help of the unprecedented mass of data captured.

Figure 1: London Data Streams - a live social media map of London by Tekja at the Big Bang Data exhibition "Big Bang Data." Exhibition. Somerset House Trust, the Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona- CCCB and Fundación Telefónica. Exhibition Visit on 01 Feb. 2016. http://bigbangdata.somersethouse.org.uk/ 1

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DATA IN PUBLIC SPACES NOW AND THEN

One of the most influential public life studies is that of William Whyte in his book Street Life Project which discusses his use of direct observation to analyze behavior in urban settings. The tools he used were still cameras, movie cameras and his notebook describing urban public life objectively in a measurable way. 2 His studies of pedestrian behavior and city dynamics till this day act as a great insight that can be achieved when this type of data is collected and analyzed. It also shows how these methods are very tedious and time consuming. The re-design of Trafalgar square by Norman Foster that started in 1996 and was completed by 2003 required 30,000 surveys and 200 observatories for enough data collection to base a new design on. Whereas the new proposal managed to increase the level of pedestrian movement by 13 times and encourage more Londoners to occupy the space rather than just tourists, the time and effort to bring this data together was far too great. 3 Not only that, but it’s also difficult to maintain the space and carry out comprehensive post occupancy surveys hence leading to learning from long-term trial and error. This laborious effort and lack of a firm grasp over effectiveness is the main motive for designers introducing the use of live data in approaching public spaces.

Figure 2: [Top to Bottom] The New York Library steps.

Whyte’s time lapse photography equipment.

Office workers demonstrate the importance of flexible seating.

Whyte, William Hollingsworth. The Social Life Of Small Urban Spaces. Washington, D.C.: Conservation Foundation, 1980. Print.

Norman Foster In The 21St Century. Madrid: Arquitectura viva, 2013. Print.

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3

Figure 2: Whyte, William Hollingsworth. The Social Life Of Small Urban Spaces. Washington, D.C.: Conservation Foundation, 1980.

Print.

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Figure 3: London City Dashboard showing various spacial data in the city by CASA research lab at UCL.

Data collection for the sake of gathering data should not be a goal. Investigations about what kinds of data would be useful for improving the design and management of public spaces should be carried thoroughly.

The types of sensors used in those spaces and their way of functioning should be studied for accurate real-time information about the place. This data would go through phases of analysis producing beneficial information such as the number of people the space occupies, how long they are using it, their satisfaction level experiencing it as well as other measures that define public life.

The data collected from users can be coupled with environmental data such as temperature, humidity, rain fall, air and water quality, and sun/shade patterns to create more developed, complex patterns and relations. Furthermore, there are other sets of data such as buying/selling patterns, market values, events scheduled that may be useful to overlay over the rest of the data for a more cohesive, accurate reflection of the public life in a certain context.

The real-time nature of the array of data available means a quick understanding of the immediate impact of design decisions on the space and the users. Design of such spaces becomes more of an on-going conversation with the users where they have the power to alter their public spaces. The design process is inclusive and participatory and is not a stage that is separated from execution. The people gain ownership of their public spaces by becoming a part of the design process themselves and affecting and getting affected by their surroundings. 4 The data captured doesn’t only open up doors for a dialogue with the city’s inhabitants, but it also allows for figuring out trends over extended durations. These trends become important when developing public spaces and making them effective instead of depending on past methods of anecdotal observations and assumptions.

4

Figure 3: "Citydashboard". Citydashboard.org. N.p., 2016. Web. 23 Mar. 2016.

Silberberg, Susan. “Places in the Making: How placemaking

builds places and communities.” MIT Department of Urban Studies and Planning. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2013.

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THE SPACE AND USER DIALOGUE

The ‘Sense and the City’ Project carried out

DATA GATHERING TECHNIQUES &

by MIT’s Senseable City Lab and SLR

SPACIAL RESPONSES

Several types of technologies are facilitating the capture of this type of live data. These include:

digital

video,

mobile

phone

networks, wireless networks, and infrared cameras. Pedestrian privacy is a key issue when gathering this kind of personalized data. Anonymity is important and it would not take away from the value of the information that is being looked for

capturing and analysis over a period of time.

Those

smart

cameras

automatically

detected human use of the space and through an integrated software, accurately analyze the pedestrian movement mapping it out within the space. Interesting patterns start to be generated that represents the between the user and the space. It is also important to note that these specific

Automatic analysis of digital imagery are advancing as sets of codes and algorithms becoming

sophisticated

cameras could be used for real-time data

intricate relationship between the users and

DIGITAL VIDEO

are

Engineering demonstrated how digital video

in

more

complex

order

to

cameras only viewed the pedestrians as silhouettes avoiding identification of people. 6

and

differentiate

between people and objects at a high level of accuracy in real-time. The number of pedestrians, their location, their speed, age, gender and what activity are the doing (i.e. sitting, walking, running) are some of the parameters that can now be picked up by highly advanced digital video cameras. In addition, the mood or emotion of a person could

also

be

captured

through

technology of facial recognition.

the

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Figure 4: Data collected during the Sense and the City event using the digital cameras combined with other sensors.

5

"Designing with Data: Shaping Our Future Cities." RIBA-Arup

Report. Web. 2013.

Figure 4: MIT SENSEable City Lab.’ Sense and the City’.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 2012.

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MIT SENSEable City Lab.’ Sense and the City’. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 2012.

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WIRELESS NETWORKS

Using Google Analytics, a page was created for the gallery that was updated in real –time.

Wireless networks are spreading across the city to span public spaces. Most smart phones and other devices are capable of picking up wifi and communicating with it. A network of wifi base stations spread out in public venues can be utilized to monitor pedestrian movements and their locations in the space in real-time. This technology is gaining popularity within the retail industry as it is adopted to analyze visitors’ movements and length of stay in their establishments.

Also, numbers of people passing by the store and those who decide to enter are data that can be generated. A project titled ‘Gallery Analytics’ used wifi technology to track and gather data about visitors of the

The system was designed by Swedish artist Jonas

Lund

and

it

documented

the

movement of people that had access to wifi and was able to identify unique visitors, differentiating between people entering the gallery and those passing by, even which artworks were most viewed and if visitors entering were ones returning back or new ones. 7 Security concerns also start to arise as mobile networks of people are being used which may lead to a lot of people turning off this feature. It is vital to inform the public about the data that will be collected, how they are detected and what exactly will they be used for if such a technology continues to be successful in public space analysis.

gallery that held the Momentum Exhibition in the Netherlands.

Figure 5: Google Analytics showing real-time number of visitors in the gallery and their locations.

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"Jonas Lund - Gallery Analytics". Jonas Lund, 2013. Web.

Figure 6: Audience Overview showing number of visitors every day and the ones that are new or returning.

Figures 5 and 6: "Jonas Lund - Gallery Analytics". Jonas Lund. N.p., 2016. Web. 24 Mar. 2016.

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MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS

the events of the match provide an insightful visual that shows more than just the usage

Mobile phones are themselves treasures of

of telecommunication. It starts to reveal

data can provide other important information

social elements such as expression of

regarding use of public spaces. Mobile

excitement, disappointment, where people

telecommunication companies can easily

went to celebrate after the match, how

track the location of their clients which are

everyone was eagerly focused during play

usually used in investigations by police

time, how the whole city went the next day

departments. However, this technology

to welcome their winning team back home. 8

could be used wisely for effective city

These aspects are the ones that should

planning purposes. An example of that is the

encourage designers and planners to

‘Real Time Rome’ project in 2006 by MIT

integrate such technology into their design

which

of

processes. Such information would be

telecommunication data during the World

impossible to attain otherwise, which make

Cup match between Italy and France. The

the use of raw data by people necessary for

behavior of the people in a whole city across

public space formation.

visualized

the

use

Figure 7: Real Time Rome project data visualization during the World Cup match between Italy and France illustrating the use of telecommunications throughout the day of the match and the day after.

8

MIT SENSEable City Lab. ’Real Time Rome’. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 2006.

Figure 7: MIT SENSEable City Lab. ’Real Time Rome’.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 2006.

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INFRARED CAMERAS MIT Senseable City Lab is continuously exploring new methods of real-time analysis within urban environments. They carried out a project titled ‘Kinect Kinetics’ in 2012 to demonstrate the use of inexpensive 3D sensors such as those found in Microsoft’s Xbox Kinect system. As cities become more congested, using these types of sensors offer more accuracy in creating individual trajectories. 9

Although

this

type

of

technology is currently not widely as used as

Figure 8: The visual outcome of the Kinect cameras capturing silhouettes of pedestrians.

the rest, it does offer solutions and more accuracy for data collection. Tango, a Google’s project is starting to introduce smart phones with built in 3D Scanning features which would make 3D scanned environments more common.

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MIT SENSEable City Lab. ‘Kinect Kinetics’. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 2012.

Figure 8: MIT SENSEable City Lab. ‘Kinect Kinetics’. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 2012.

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‘ANOTHER LIFE’ GIVING LIFE TO RAW DATA IN PUBLIC SPACES

One of Europe’s largest interactive public spaces called ‘After Life’ is in the heart of Bradford, England and embedded in the infrastructure of City Park, designed by

Usman Haque and his team in 2009. This project utilizes several technologies to

gather real-time information that bring the environment to life. The operating system in

this design is called Linguine, which is a system developed for public spaces to enable the control and coordination of several urban infrastructures and technologies such as lighting, cameras, projectors and fountains. While typically phases of a project is distinct into design stage, simulation, construction, and then occupancy, Linguine allows for the same software to be used in all stages of the design and production process, which results in a continuity of medium. This means ongoing, iterative design feedback is made possible, even after the occupancy of the project, this enables a more effective design process and non-stop design improvement

respond to the actions of the users in the park immersing them in an interactive urban experience of play. The space is never the same at 2 different instances as the people are the key players in defining this urban stage. The system is continually adjusting itself to produce outputs that respond to the raw data its picking up.

The City Park is transformed into an adaptive and distinctive personality urban space that is changing over time and according to new conditions. Users of the public space contribute to the ever changing state of their public space by the data they offer. The team behind ‘After Life’ are also proposing that the system itself would be easily accessed and modified by local designers that would have the freedom to design a new system using the templates provided written in Processing and 10 openFrameworks. This would be a step forward in engaging residents in the design of public spaces since they are no longer just the input of raw data but they would also have the control and decision making regarding how this data should be used, when to be used and why.

and management of the public space.

Data

is

collected

from

environmental

sensors and infrared cameras as well as community requirements.

This data collected is responsible for controlling fountains, mist makers, ambient lighting and RGB lasers that draw out patterns according to pedestrian movements. It is also the

choreographer pf projections on water that 10

Haque, Usman. “After Life – Umbrellium..” Integrating Linguine Software in Public Space. 2009. Umbrellium.co.uk.

Figure 9: Visitors playing with the light projections as they respond to their movement.

Figure 9: Haque, Usman. “After Life – Umbrellium..” Integrating Linguine Software in Public Space. 2009. Umbrellium.co.uk.

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Figure 10: Graphical Diagram representing the overview of the program of After Life.

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Figure 11: Picture of the completed project in City Park.

Figure 10 and 11: Haque, Usman. “After Life – Umbrellium..”

Integrating Linguine Software in Public Space. 2009.

Umbrellium.co.uk.

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DATA & PRIVACY “Data collection is an act of hiding something” -Usman Haque

Social media has been on a rise for the past decade or so. Facebook, Twitter, online dating websites have made it easy to share our personal information and our thoughts and opinions. Product and service industries ask of clients to share their experiences with them as they keep an archive of data about their customers. Law enforcement agencies and the government are continuously pushing for more access of data in order to maintain security of citizens.

According to Usman Haque, data collection is an act of hiding something. He is concerned about who has the authority to make decisions regarding deploying of measuring devices and what they measure and how they do that and for what reasons. 12 Applying this to public spaces, people may not always have the chance to give their consent for data collection from them to be used. This is a big concern for many as they question the intention behind such surveillance. Is it a form of control over activities happening in public spaces or is it a way to optimize public spaces and making them safer? This is an on-going debate about what type of data could be accessed.

As a result, several products and services emphasize their privacy policies, phones 12

"Big Bang Data." Exhibition. Somerset House Trust, the Centre

de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona- CCCB and Fundación

have various methods to secure it, emails and web browsers are encrypted. Having control over the access of private data is solution to filter out what each individual feels comfortable about sharing, however, complete ban or overly exaggerated restrictions would be a missed opportunity for utilizing this data in effective means.

CONCLUSION The future of our cities could be defined by the application of advanced technologies and their capabilities of offering us accurate and in many cases cost effective real-time data about our public spaces. Designers and planners roles shift to becoming the facilitator

of

public

participation

and

engagement in creating and maintaining their spaces by inventing innovative systems to do so. With users’ demands and needs in mind

and

their

will

to

regain

their

neighborhood spaces, a system that allows for immediate, feedback is required. The result of this process would be public spaces that offer contextualized, tailored functionalities and experiences

to

the

visitors. Balancing these benefits with the issue regarding privacy is key. Filtering what is appropriate to record, what is relevant, and most importantly putting this decision in the hands of the community

Telefónica. Exhibition Visit on 01 Feb. 2016. http://bigbangdata.somersethouse.org.uk/

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RESOURCES “Big Bang Data." Exhibition. Somerset House Trust, the Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona- CCCB and Fundación Telefónica. Exhibition Visit on 01 Feb. 2016. http://bigbangdata.somersethouse.org.uk/ “Citydashboard". Citydashboard.org. N.p., 2016. Web. 23 Mar. 2016.

"Designing with Data: Shaping Our Future Cities." RIBA-Arup Report. Web. 2013.

Haque, Usman. “After Life – Umbrellium..” Integrating Linguine Software in Public Space. 2009.

Umbrellium.co.uk.

Krauel, Jacobo, Noden, Jay and George, William, 1948-Contemporary digital architecture : design & techniques. Links, Barcelona, 2010.

MIT SENSEable City Lab. ’Sense and the City’. ’Real Time Rome’. ‘Kinect Kinetics’.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 2012.

Norman Foster In The 21St Century. Madrid: Arquitectura viva, 2013. Print.

Silberberg, Susan. “Places in the Making: How placemaking builds places and communities.”

MIT Department of Urban Studies and Planning. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2013.

Whyte, William Hollingsworth. The Social Life Of Small Urban Spaces. Washington, D.C.: Conservation Foundation, 1980. Print.

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