Open access city database: badam.poznan.pl
About this good practice
Since 2018 the website has provided the information in an attractive and accessible graphic form, both as separate data (city statistics) and in the form of cyclical and thematic reports. In line with global open-access data trends, city data is presented online in an attractive, transparent, clear, and legally compliant manner.
The good practice attempts to improve the accessibility of information held within the city database to concerned residents and other entities, which is managed and developed by Department for City Development and International Cooperation.
The data includes statistical indicators and a reports describing the state of Poznan's development in various areas of the city's functioning, such as demographics, economy, labor market, education, living conditions, public participation, city management, and finances, implementation of the city's development strategies, programs and sectoral policies. The database covers areas concerned with sustainable urban mobility like transport and the environment too, providing thematically tailored data in an attractive and easily digestible format, improving community awareness of sustainable urban mobility.
The badam.poznan.pl is prepared for residents, entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, local government officials, city activists, and other interested stakeholders looking for data about Poznań needed for work, knowledge development, or simply for pleasure.
Resources needed
The database was created with cooperation with almost 90 local government, business and non-governmental units and organizations assuring the sources of appropriate data, crucial to analyse and publish. Knowing how to acquire, aggregate and present data is necessary to launch the similar practice.
Evidence of success
The database is practically used by residents, city councillors and neighbourhood councillors. The Badam brand enjoys a certain recognition, the collected data is the basis for analysing the situation in the city, for learning and also for satisfying curiosity about the situation of Poznan. Visitor figures prove the success of the site - last year users triggered 236,000 events on the portal, which means that statistically almost every second Poznań resident generated one event.
Potential for learning or transfer
The publication of data, which is stored in archived databases for the general public, in both raw and graphically processed form, is an interesting idea at every level of NUTs, but also for smaller territorial units, such as cities or even districts. In addition, the collection from different sources, structuring and aggregation of data widens the potential audience from survey providers to citizens seeking information, be it knowledge development or simply out of curiosity.
While the transferability of such a solution is supposed to be simple, it involves complex ways of obtaining data, aggregation and presenting it in a form that is accessible to the widest possible audience. The experience and know-how of City of Poznan and its Department for City Development and International Cooperation can be used to minimise the complexity of the implemented solution.
Badam has a developmental character and will be expanded and adapted according to the needs of users.