Tech project ideas - Detroit

Project concepts

Some general ideas & brainstorming around possibilities

Community Genius Bar

A volunteer event where people can bring in their computers and phones to get fixed, Genius-Bar style.

Public Tweet Archive

Preserve tweets from public figures.

The Layers of Detroit

A system where community organizations can collect information about specific issues. For example, Greening could create a "Trees" layer and ask individual volunteers to register trees as points on a map. Groups could organize specific pushes to collect information. Results could be download in bulk as geodata.

Neighborfeed

People and organizations can identify an area on a map they care about. They will receive a feed of updates (via the web or email) about changes to properties in the area. Changes can be recorded by the city or by neighbors (condition, ...). You can send a message to everyone whose coverage area overlaps a point.

Limb Down

A website where citizens can check on the status of tree/limb removals.

Procureorator

Bids get posted online. It's that simple. (Okay, maybe you can sign up for email alerts too)

Property Purchase Status

A system for checking on the status of a property purchase. Who has the docs? Where is it going next? Give a public display.

Historic Parking Lots of Detroit

There are a lot of parking lots in Detroit.

Master Plan Map

There are a lot of master plans in Detroit. Lets's map them all, like this.

UMich plans
http://taubmancollege.umich.edu/planning/students/student_work/
http://sitemaker.umich.edu/urpoutreachreports/all_reports
WSU master plans

Code for Detroit ideas

Documentation for ESD
Trainings on documentation, github

Other

Visualization of the city charter, budget?
Storify or archive tweets related to a thing. Something like http://detroitfuturelibrary.wordpress.com/
Can we save the city money on FOIA requests? http://blog.okfn.org/2011/08/25/greater-manchester-open-data-city/
Courts
Can we connect SI students with the City of Detroit?
Text in your attendance instead of signing in at Summer in the City events
Commit to turning on your porch lights
System to allow block clubs to register themselves and appear on a map with their boundaries
System to map out CDOs and services
System that allows communities to find out status of blight complaints and tickets
System that allows citizens/residents to file infrastructure complaints (streetlights, potholes, broken water lines, illegal dumping, etc.) and track status of repairs
Something on the city's website to guide perspective retailers and business owners
Something online that explains community garden, urban ag, and vacant lot opportunities and restrictions
System that allows residents to register to get zoning variance and other things legally required notices
How can residents make sure they get official public notices from MDOT, zoning, etc.? Can they register on a list to insure public entities mail them or is there a system where maybe every publicly noticed legal meeting can be forced to register and people log in for info by zip code, etc.?