smartercities:

How Chicago Is Building a Better City With Big Data | People For Smarter Cities

Urban design is no longer just for architects and city planners: Citizens also are getting into the act.

Chicago is one example of how data collected from residents transforms urban design. The project’s aim is to highlight how data generated by citizens can be used to make cities a better place to live. Where does this information come from? It can be gathered from sensors on water pipes that detect leaks, for one. Or it could be as simple as data culled from city-to-citizen social-media engagement. Armed with this, architects, planners and engineers can draw up, create and implement programs in areas such as public safety and transportation that are designed to improve residents’ quality of life.