Civic Data Intermediaries

Bob Gradeck (University of Pittsburgh), WPRDC (University of Pittsburgh)

The video describes what civic data intermediaries and how they assemble, transform, and maintain data; disseminate data; and use data to impact local governance. It focuses on the Western Pennsylvania Regional Data Center and the types of open access, free data that it compiles and makes accessible to any interested user. It gives examples of projects done with the data and provides information for further training in using these different types of civic data.

Further Reading and Resources

The National Neighborhood Indicators Partnership is a collaborative peer learning network of the Urban Institute and over 30 civic data intermediaries in the U.S.

The Western Pennsylvania Regional Data Center is a civic data intermediary based at the University of Pittsburgh. The project is a partnership of the University, Allegheny County, and the City of Pittsburgh, and also provides an inclusive open data infrastructure for the region. Background information of this WPRDC can be found here.

Civic Switchboard is an Institute of Museum and Library Services supported effort that aims to develop the capacity of academic and public libraries in civic data ecosystems. The project team based at the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, and the Urban Institute is creating a guide and toolkit for libraries interested in expanding (or beginning) their role around civic information.

The Sunlight Foundation’s Website has lots of information about open data and government transparency for those looking to learn more about those topics.

July 3, 2019. Digital History, Open Data

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Bob Gradeck (University of Pittsburgh)

Bob Gradeck manages the Western Pennsylvania Regional Data Center at the University of Pittsburgh’s University Center for Social and Urban Research. Prior to joining the University of Pittsburgh, Bob worked at the Carnegie Mellon University Center for Economic Development for ten years, where he helped to found the Pittsburgh Neighborhood and Community Information System. Bob started his career at the Atlanta Project, where he helped lay the foundation of one of the nation’s first neighborhood information systems. Bob received a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Masters of City Planning from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

WPRDC (University of Pittsburgh)

The Western Pennsylvania Regional Data Center provides a shared, inclusive legal and technological infrastructure for open data in Western Pennsylvania. The Regional Data Center is designed to provide open access to civic information, and help people use it to understand their communities, influence policy, and support decision-making processes. Founded in 2015, the Regional Data Center is a partnership of the University of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, and the City of Pittsburgh.