Municipal Open Data and Regional Development : Identification of Open Datasets of City of Lahti

Abstract

Open data is a term that resonates more and more in municipalities all over the world. The definition of datasets with the greatest potential for economic and technological development is behind the stories of the most successful open cities. The purpose of this thesis was to identify the datasets of the city of Lahti that could be the most relevant for regional development of Lahti area. This thesis also studied the awareness of open data among the local companies. Additionally, the work investigated the best ways of communication between the city and local community. The data used in this study was collected in interviews with experts and in a survey focused on local companies. Consequently, the data was analysed using qualitative and quantitative research approach. The results pointed out some datasets that could be potentially used for existing business ideas of local companies. But generally speaking, the data requirements for the most part did not come from existing business ideas. This thesis revealed a low awareness of open data. The effective ways of communication were detected. The definition of open datasets for the city of Lahti in this thesis was just one of the first steps of a big project. The active cooperation of the city with the local community was identified as the only way that would make city of Lahti another successful open city.