iCity-ORF annual research day showcases platforms, data and ontologies

The recent iCity-ORF Annual Research Day 2018 presented the third year of the project’s research activities across a wide spectrum.

The June 22 showcase, held in GB202, marked the first time “outsiders” (non-researchers) were invited to attend. The format of the day was different too; short presentations in the morning were followed by hands-on activities and a choice of options in the afternoon.

Attendees chose from 3D simulations “Visualizing Alternative Complete Streets in Waterfront Toronto” or “iCity-Park,” and a survey prototype “King Street Pedestrian Experience.” Following that, the Research Café breakout tables offered nine presentations; after studying brief descriptions, attendees chose three.

Presentation file PDFs are available here.

About iCity-ORF

iCity-ORF is a unique collaboration among a team of researchers at the University of Toronto, OCAD-U and the University of Waterloo; public partners City of Toronto, Waterfront Toronto and the Region of Waterloo; industry partners Esri Canada, IBM Canada and Cellint Data; and youth outreach partner Maximum City.

The foundation layer of iCity-ORF is platforms, data and ontologies, upon which have been built example applications using “urban informatics” to, for example:

  • design complete streets
  • study parking behaviour
  • make transit systems more reliable and resilient
  • study the impact of transportation on land use and
  • explore how commuters adapt their shopping, leisure and travel behaviour when new transit options are available.

Data visualizations under development are designed to help stakeholders, both expert and not, to understand the outcomes of simulations and analysis and to enable new forms of public engagement.

iCity-ORF: Urban Informatics for Sustainable Metropolitan Growth is funded by the Ontario Research Fund-Research Excellence Round 7.