Open Data Day is a global celebration of open data, where communities come together to highlight the importance of accessible information. This week, 1-7 March is Open Data Day 2025. In Hong Kong, we have made strides in making data available to the public, but much work still needs to be done. This year, I collected some ideas about the datasets that need to be opened or improved to enhance transparency, promote innovation, and empower citizens.
1. Transport: Park Island Bus Data
Public transport is the backbone of urban mobility. The Park Island bus service, which caters to a significant number of residents, lacks comprehensive open data. By providing real-time schedules, routes, and occupancy levels, residents would have better insights into their commuting options, leading to more informed travel decisions.
2. Transport: Personalized Vehicle Registration Marks (PVRM)
Personalized vehicle registration marks are a unique way for vehicle owners to express their individuality. However, data regarding the currently occupied registration marks and their auction prices, along with auction dates, is not readily available. By opening up this information, we can foster a transparent marketplace that attracts more individuals to consider owning personalized marks. Access to this data would not only enhance competition but also promote a vibrant market for personalized vehicle registrations in Hong Kong.
3. Transport: Flight Data of HK Airport
Hong Kong International Airport is one of the busiest in the world. However, detailed datasets concerning live flight schedules are not readily available. Improved access to this information can enhance travel planning.
4. Weather: Missing Open Data
The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) has made commendable strides in providing weather data over the years. However, some important datasets remain closed to the public, even though they can be found on their website. One such example is the 10-minute regional weather data measurements. By fully opening these datasets, we can enhance public access to critical weather information, enabling citizens to make informed decisions about their health and activities based on real-time conditions. Greater transparency in weather data will foster community engagement and awareness regarding climate issues.
5. Leisure and Culture: Available Books in Public Libraries
The library currently lacks comprehensive data on available books. This missing information hinders users from easily accessing the resources they need. By making library book data more transparent and accessible, we can enhance the user experience, streamline the search process, and encourage greater engagement with library resources. Implementing a system to provide up-to-date information on book availability will significantly benefit the community.
6. Budget: Recent Years of Budget Data
Understanding government spending is crucial for civic engagement. Recent years of budget data should be made available in an easily digestible format. This transparency will allow citizens to better understand how public funds are allocated and to hold decision-makers accountable.
7. Immigration: Hourly Data
Immigration data, particularly on arrivals and departures, is essential for understanding population movements. Opening hourly data would provide valuable insights into trends and help facilitate better planning for infrastructure and services.
8. Fire Services: Cases per Fire Station
Data on fire incidents and ambulance calls per station can provide insights into emergency response effectiveness. By making this information public, we can identify areas needing additional resources and improve overall safety.
9. Police: Cases per Police Station
Transparency in law enforcement is vital for community trust. By opening data on crime statistics per police station, we can foster accountability and encourage community involvement in safety initiatives.
10. Emergency Services: Daily Case Data for 999
Data on the number and classification of emergency calls received daily can help assess the demands on our emergency services. Making this information available will assist in resource allocation and response planning.
11. Health Authority: Cases per Hospitals and Clinics
Healthcare data, including the number of cases handled by hospitals and clinics, is crucial for understanding public health trends. By improving access to this data, we can foster better health outcomes and inform public health policies.
Conclusion
On this Open Data Day, let’s advocate for the opening and improvement of these essential datasets. By doing so, we can enhance transparency, encourage civic engagement, and foster a culture of innovation in Hong Kong. Together, we can harness the power of open data to build a better, more informed community.
Call to Action
Join the conversation! Share your thoughts on which datasets you believe should be prioritized for opening and improvement. Let’s work together to make Hong Kong a leader in open data!
Super interesting, but it looks like a lot of work in many different areas! Maybe customer-oriented datasets could be prioritized to have time to network with public institutions, meanwhile?