The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) recently kickstarted the Open Data Week to stimulate open data adoption, thereby fuelling innovation within India’s urban ecosystem. This event is scheduled for the third week of January from 17th to 21st January 2022. It aims to present a platform that fosters ongoing creation and reinforces the use of data to tackle intricate urban problems like the persisting Covid-19 pandemic.
An Overview of Open Data
Open data refers to information that can be utilized, repurposed, and disseminated freely by any individual. There are minimal conditions, chiefly revolving around attribution and sharing under similar principles. There are three overarching classifications of open data:
1. Availability and Access: Open data should be conveniently accessible at a low cost and in a functional format.
2. Re-use and Redistribution: Open data should not impose any restrictions on re-use and redistribution.
3. Universal Participation: Every individual should have the right to access and/or reuse open data without any discriminatory practices based on any criteria.
Benefits of Open Data in Urban Planning
Urban planning can significantly benefit from the use of open data. Here are some key advantages:
1. Transparency: Open data enhances the transparency and integrity of the public sector by enabling monitoring of public funds and providing market insights.
2. Multi-Dimensional Correlation: Open data highlights current and historical trends that can be associated with social, political, and environmental circumstances.
3. Action-Oriented Approach: Open data assists in recognizing, responding to, or predicting changes in real time. It also helps estimate the impact of various change types via modeling and simulation, which can be tested for accuracy depending on the available data.
4. Increased productivity: Open data aids in streamlining processes and services by helping identify inefficient or ineffective practices.
5. Environmental Sustainability: Open data helps reduce the environmental impact by easing the identification of its sources and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.
6. Tailored Solutions: Open data allows addressing similar problems across varied legal frameworks and demographics.
7. Democratization of Data: Open data makes information accessible to the average user and promotes a framework of values and actions that benefit and minimize any harm to the public or typical user.
Advancing Through Contactless Infrastructure
In the aftermath of Covid-19, India has been rapidly expanding its digital footprint. This progression can be leveraged to cultivate mass data through scalable models. Aadhaar has given unique identities to over a billion people in India, while the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has revolutionized financial transactions.
The Importance of Consent for Personal Data Use
Data privacy protection is crucial to propel governance towards data democracy. Therefore, a legal infrastructure that safeguards this aspect is needed. The recommendations of Justice BN Srikrishna on data privacy play a significant role in this context. A definitive law will help shape India’s digital future where the individual remains central.