Periodic Reporting for period 1 - CitiObs (CitiObs – Enhancing Citizen Observatories for healthy, sustainable, resilient and inclusive cities)
Reporting period: 2023-01-01 to 2024-04-30
CitiObs aims to consolidate and apply tools and practice-based knowledge for co-creating data, knowledge and local action via Citizen Observatories (COs). CitiObs works together with already established COs to create/enhance/or scale up inclusive and diverse COs, fostering an active role of citizens in the observation of the urban environment using low-cost sensor technologies and wearables, with a particular focus on air quality and related environmental measures.
The overall objective of CitiObs is to expand and scale up the deployment and uptake of Citizen Observatories as an integral part of inclusive multi-stakeholder governance, generating validated data for policy and research, contributing to GEOSS and GEO initiatives, and enabling the co-design of local actions to address urban challenges related to pollution and climate change as part of the European Green Deal transition.
To achieve the aim of embedding COs in multi-level transition governance as a means for societal transformation towards sustainable development and zero pollution, CitiObs has three distinct pathways:
Pathway 1- DATA: change how CO data is produced, perceived, and accepted, accessed, combined, and used in policy and research.
Pathway 2 – PEOPLE: improve who is engaged and how they participate in COs, extending COs from monitoring the urban environment to protecting it via citizen-led local actions.
Pathway 3 – SYSTEMS: strengthen the interactions of stakeholders within COs, across COs and across multi-level governance levels; create synergies with existing initiatives such as the New European Bauhaus movement, which shares the values and visions of COs in terms of sustainability transitions.
The large-scale demonstration of CitiObs of enhancing real-life COs making a total of 85 cases throughout Europe is leading to tangible short-term impact in terms of inclusive participation of citizens in multi-level governance, contributing with validated citizen generated data, knowledge and citizen-led actions to the observation and protection of the urban environment. The demonstration is supported by specific learning, knowledge sharing and collaboration mechanisms for each group (namely, mentoring, peer learning, twinning, Roadshows, CoPs, collaboration/networking). These proven capacity building modalities for each stage ensure effective knowledge-transfer, while shifting ownership and agency from the CitiObs team to local leaders and implementers in the COs for their ongoing operations.
The overall objective of CitiObs is to expand and scale up the deployment and uptake of Citizen Observatories as an integral part of inclusive multi-stakeholder governance, generating validated data for policy and research, contributing to GEOSS and GEO initiatives, and enabling the co-design of local actions to address urban challenges related to pollution and climate change as part of the European Green Deal transition.
To achieve the aim of embedding COs in multi-level transition governance as a means for societal transformation towards sustainable development and zero pollution, CitiObs has three distinct pathways:
Pathway 1- DATA: change how CO data is produced, perceived, and accepted, accessed, combined, and used in policy and research.
Pathway 2 – PEOPLE: improve who is engaged and how they participate in COs, extending COs from monitoring the urban environment to protecting it via citizen-led local actions.
Pathway 3 – SYSTEMS: strengthen the interactions of stakeholders within COs, across COs and across multi-level governance levels; create synergies with existing initiatives such as the New European Bauhaus movement, which shares the values and visions of COs in terms of sustainability transitions.
The large-scale demonstration of CitiObs of enhancing real-life COs making a total of 85 cases throughout Europe is leading to tangible short-term impact in terms of inclusive participation of citizens in multi-level governance, contributing with validated citizen generated data, knowledge and citizen-led actions to the observation and protection of the urban environment. The demonstration is supported by specific learning, knowledge sharing and collaboration mechanisms for each group (namely, mentoring, peer learning, twinning, Roadshows, CoPs, collaboration/networking). These proven capacity building modalities for each stage ensure effective knowledge-transfer, while shifting ownership and agency from the CitiObs team to local leaders and implementers in the COs for their ongoing operations.
WP1 “Social dimensions of Citizen Observatories for transition governance”:
Development of the LNOB Toolkit (D1.5)
Development of CO Participation in Multi-level Governance Toolkit (D1.6)
Development of initial conceptual framing for analysing the incentive systems of core stakeholders in citizen observatories (citizens, scientists and decision/policy makers), applied to a pilot study conducted using data from the Ground Truth 2.0 project (D1.7).
Development of the Citizen-led Action in COs Toolkit based on literature review and feedback integration from CitiObs partners.
Establishment of the EIE Toolkit taskforce as part of the Community of Practice ECSA WG EIE.
WP2 “Tools, Technologies, and Data Services for Citizen Observatories”:
Development of the Using low-cost sensors Toolkit (D2.6)
Completion and approval of the STAplus standard, for improving data standardization and FAIR principles support.
Developed a detailed architecture for data integration using STAplus (D2.1).
Analyzed GDPR implications and sensor location privacy.
Developed the first version of the ValAir Toolkit for real-time data validation and uncertainty characterization.
Progress in the development of the developing MapAir toolkit for on-demand DRI products.
Organised an internal hackathon for developing tools for local communities, including a widget for importing STAplus data into Orange data mining tool and TAPIS.
Progress in the development of the VirtualAir Web Service, as a single-entry point for aggregating data from COs
Ongoing engagement with GEOSS and ECSA to promote citizen science data integration.
WP3 “Co-creation of data and actions for healthy, sustainable and resilient cities with Citizen Observatories”:
Consolidated a Stakeholder Engagement and Analysis methodology based on the GT2.0 model.
Successful onboarding of the Frontrunner Cases (FRC) in 5 cities.
Conducted two workshops with the COs in the FRCs.
Integrated FRC needs with CitiObs toolkits as the basis for supporting tailored mentoring sessions.
Progress on the selection criteria for the Open Call for Implementer/Alliance Cases and creation of the content for the application form. Launch is scheduled in early June.
Ongoing mapping of national and EU Policymakers. Scheduled engagement with EU policymakers for early 2025, considering the upcoming EU elections.
Adjusted the WeObserve Impact CoP’s CSISTA inquiry instrument to evaluate CitiObs tools and toolkits.
Developed a detailed logbook template for FRC onboarding events, analyzed content for guidance on future events; and designed the overall evaluation approach.
Development of the LNOB Toolkit (D1.5)
Development of CO Participation in Multi-level Governance Toolkit (D1.6)
Development of initial conceptual framing for analysing the incentive systems of core stakeholders in citizen observatories (citizens, scientists and decision/policy makers), applied to a pilot study conducted using data from the Ground Truth 2.0 project (D1.7).
Development of the Citizen-led Action in COs Toolkit based on literature review and feedback integration from CitiObs partners.
Establishment of the EIE Toolkit taskforce as part of the Community of Practice ECSA WG EIE.
WP2 “Tools, Technologies, and Data Services for Citizen Observatories”:
Development of the Using low-cost sensors Toolkit (D2.6)
Completion and approval of the STAplus standard, for improving data standardization and FAIR principles support.
Developed a detailed architecture for data integration using STAplus (D2.1).
Analyzed GDPR implications and sensor location privacy.
Developed the first version of the ValAir Toolkit for real-time data validation and uncertainty characterization.
Progress in the development of the developing MapAir toolkit for on-demand DRI products.
Organised an internal hackathon for developing tools for local communities, including a widget for importing STAplus data into Orange data mining tool and TAPIS.
Progress in the development of the VirtualAir Web Service, as a single-entry point for aggregating data from COs
Ongoing engagement with GEOSS and ECSA to promote citizen science data integration.
WP3 “Co-creation of data and actions for healthy, sustainable and resilient cities with Citizen Observatories”:
Consolidated a Stakeholder Engagement and Analysis methodology based on the GT2.0 model.
Successful onboarding of the Frontrunner Cases (FRC) in 5 cities.
Conducted two workshops with the COs in the FRCs.
Integrated FRC needs with CitiObs toolkits as the basis for supporting tailored mentoring sessions.
Progress on the selection criteria for the Open Call for Implementer/Alliance Cases and creation of the content for the application form. Launch is scheduled in early June.
Ongoing mapping of national and EU Policymakers. Scheduled engagement with EU policymakers for early 2025, considering the upcoming EU elections.
Adjusted the WeObserve Impact CoP’s CSISTA inquiry instrument to evaluate CitiObs tools and toolkits.
Developed a detailed logbook template for FRC onboarding events, analyzed content for guidance on future events; and designed the overall evaluation approach.
Validated Citizen Generated Data: CitiObs provides tools, algorithms, and methods to transform citizen-generated data into decision-ready information (DRI) for policy integration. We developed a method for validating air quality sensor data using a machine learning model, eliminating the need for co-location with reference instruments. This method is being tested on a European dataset of over 35,000 sensors. The DRI includes algorithms for creating air quality maps using CGD. Guidance on using low-cost sensors is being compiled to promote best practices and lower technological barriers.
Addressing Misperceptions about Citizen Generated Data: A significant barrier to the acceptance of citizen science data in policy-making is mistrust regarding sensor data quality and citizens' capabilities. CitiObs employs social science and behavioral science approaches to address these concerns, focusing on privacy, trust, and accountability. Results from these efforts are beginning to emerge.
Interoperable Data and Standards-Based Architecture: Current citizen observatories (COs) use varied, proprietary technologies, creating data silos and interoperability challenges. STA+ has been accepted as standard. CitiObs has made progress towards compatibility of sensor data platforms (IVL and NILU) with the SensorThings API+ (STA+), ensuring metadata and semantic interoperability. Efforts also include developing a common terminology for data quality and processing levels.
Addressing Misperceptions about Citizen Generated Data: A significant barrier to the acceptance of citizen science data in policy-making is mistrust regarding sensor data quality and citizens' capabilities. CitiObs employs social science and behavioral science approaches to address these concerns, focusing on privacy, trust, and accountability. Results from these efforts are beginning to emerge.
Interoperable Data and Standards-Based Architecture: Current citizen observatories (COs) use varied, proprietary technologies, creating data silos and interoperability challenges. STA+ has been accepted as standard. CitiObs has made progress towards compatibility of sensor data platforms (IVL and NILU) with the SensorThings API+ (STA+), ensuring metadata and semantic interoperability. Efforts also include developing a common terminology for data quality and processing levels.