Let’s Get Visual to Generate New Perspectives on Public Data

(BLOOMINGTON) – You play an essential role in defining our civic future. 

That’s why the City of Bloomington is partnering with local Code for America Brigade – BMG Hack – on a city-centered data visualization 4-hour hackathon to reveal insights and opportunities trapped in the 200-plus spreadsheets and data reports.

The four-hour event will leverage experts in the field of data analysis and visualization to help unlock the content of some of the data tables housed at B-Clear, the City’s open data portal. 

The event is scheduled for Saturday, February 22, from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. in the City Hall Atrium at 401 North Morton Street.

The event is open to the community. Journalists, researchers, students, and others with an interest in civic data are encouraged to attend. 

Technical expertise is not required to attend; non-coders and first-time hackers are welcome.

Registration to attend the free event is available here.     

Mayor John Hamilton directed the City ITS department to create the B-Clear site to increase the accessibility of public data, related to everything from water quality to road conditions to crime statistics and more.  The event aims to raise awareness about the availability of these data sets, some of which are updated daily. Visualization can make data contained in spreadsheets and reports more user-friendly and may generate insights and questions that could lead to improved City services.   

The event will be followed up with an “analog” hack in May during which participants will layer City data visualizations printed onto 11×17 transparencies to compare disparate sets and unlock more insights. 

For more upcoming events led by the City’s Office of Innovation, visit the Innovation site.