The technology for determining the geographic location of cell phones and other handheld devices is becoming increasingly available. It opening way to a wide range applications, collectively referred as location-based services (LBS), that are primarily aimed at individual users. However, if deployed retrieve aggregated data in cities, LBS could become powerful tool urban analysis. In this paper we aim review introduce potential planning community. addition, present ‘Mobile Landscapes'...

In many of the world's growing cities, semi-formal buses form basis public transit systems. However, little open and standardized data exist on these The Digital Matatus project in Nairobi, Kenya set out to test whether geo-locative capabilities mobile technology could be used collect a system that translated into General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) standard for wider use. results this work show technologies, particularly phones, which are increasingly prevalent developing countries,...

With all the recent attention focused on big data, it is easy to overlook that basic vital statistics remain difficult obtain in most of world. What makes this frustrating private companies hold potentially useful but not accessible by people who can use track poverty, reduce disease, or build urban infrastructure. This project set out test whether we transform an openly available dataset (Twitter) into a resource for planning and development. We our hypothesis creating road traffic crash...

Recent work has pointed towards the possibility that industries are not tied to their specific urban location as much linkages with particular types of infrastructure and social economic networks. Industries have similar clustering patterns even in very different cities. Using Bureau Labor Statistics data, we conducted geographic information systems (GIS) analysis compare cultural Los Angeles New York City, two cities geography environments. Two distinct findings emerged: (1) when...

The following is the text of a paper we presented at 1992 Annual Meeting American Anthropological Association in San Francisco. It represents first attempt positioning cyborg anthropology late capitalist world that situates academic theorizing alongside popular theorizing. We view as descriptive label marks cultural project rather than an elite practice. In other words, not just for anthropologists or professional intellectuals. Although cite broad social and intellectual movements, do...

With the advent of 'big data' there is an increased interest in using social media to describe city dynamics. This paper employs geo-located data identify 'digital neighborhoods' – those areas where used more often. Starting with Twitter and Foursquare for New York City region 2014, we applied spatial clustering techniques detect significant groupings or 'neighborhoods' use high low. The results show that beyond business districts, digital neighborhoods occur communities undergoing shifting...

The US fashion industry is a useful lens through which to view the transformation of country’s urban economic systems. Initially an industrial vanguard, has evolved into more design-oriented sector and central part ‘cognitive-cultural economy’. Fashion also clear demonstration place-specific comparative advantage specialisation, intensely linked ‘place in product’. paper traces industry’s evolution from 1986 2007, focusing on New York Los Angeles. composition each locale demonstrates city’s...

To make good decisions about the future direction of cities we need data to contextualize and recommendations that are based on past results potential models for future. Yet access information including geographic systems (GIS) is challenging, particularly as often seen a commodity or source power by those who control it, dynamic more severe in contexts like Kenya. By generating GIS our own transportation model then sharing them with interested doing research Nairobi, experienced firsthand...

William Whyte, one of the most well-known urban planners, documented hundreds hours street life using videos, cameras, and interviews to develop social physical policy recommendations for cities. Since then, studies public have primarily depended on human observation data collection. Our research sets out test whether Do-it-Yourself sensor technologies can automate this collection process. To answer question, our team embedded sensors in moveable benches evaluated their performance according...

Industrial agglomerations have long been thought to offer economic and social benefits firms people that are only captured by location within their specified geographies. Using the case study of New York City's garment industry along with data acquired from cell phones media, this set out understand discrete activities underpinning dynamics an industrial agglomeration. Over a two week period, was collected employing geo-locative capabilities Foursquare, media application, record every...

Human mobility patterns created from mobile phone call detail records (CDRs) can provide an essential resource in data-poor environments to monitor the effects of health outbreaks. Analysis this data be instrumental for understanding movement pattern populations allowing governments set and refine policies respond community risks. Building on CDR analysis techniques, research out test whether combining indicators with socio-economic information illustrate differences between different...