Open City Data and Civic-Mindedness

State and city governments across the country are providing open access to data about municipal services and infrastructure, right down to parking violations and bike lane networks (for examples, see OpenDataPhilly). What are the ways in which open data has expanded the ability for cities and governments to offer new services (or improve on existing ones), understand and tackle problems, and communicate with citizens? What civic engagement opportunities does open data pose for our Penn community and Philadelphia at large? Join us for a conversation about city data developments in the area and what having access to open civic data means to you. This panel discussion is part of the Penn Libraries Open Access Week, an initiative to promote wider and better accessibility to information. Light refreshments will be provided. This event is open to the public; registration is required. Panelists: Dan Ford, Community Ambassador at Azavea; Diana Lu, Community Engagement Editor at PlanPhilly/WHYY; Akira Drake Rodriguez, Postdoctoral Fellow for Academic Diversity at PennDesign; Ken Steif, PennDesign Lecturer and MUSA Program Director. Register: http://libcal.library.upenn.edu/event/3570236