Scientific research

VenicAir: air pollution and the importance of citizen participation in data collection

Area

Research

Client

IAAC

Year

2021

Impact

Demonstrate the role that citizens have in the public agenda through citizen science in the air quality sector.

How can citizens lead the generation of evidence to address air pollution in cities?

We collaborate on the initiative Catalonia - AirAriaAire driven by the Instituto Ramón Llull which was presented as a complementary initiative during the Biennale Architettura 2021 held in Venice at the end of September.

The project, in which a community of experts and entities dedicated to social innovation have collaborated such as  Fab Lab, IAAC, Open Systems - UB, 4Sfera, Ideas for Change and the Università Iuav di Venezia, proposes a revision of the smart cities concept where the use of technologies is not the solution, but a tool to constantly renew society. Highlighting the role of architecture and urban planning, the exhibition aimed to address air pollution and the importance of citizen participation in evidence gathering.

We organized a series of workshops with the public called “VenicAir” alongside FabLab, in which, through a participatory citizen sensing strategy, we identified and designed environmental kits to measure air quality and thus contribute to building more sustainable and healthy cities.

How can citizens lead the generation of evidence to address air pollution in cities?

We collaborate on the initiative Catalonia - AirAriaAire driven by the Instituto Ramón Llull which was presented as a complementary initiative during the Biennale Architettura 2021 held in Venice at the end of September.

The project, in which a community of experts and entities dedicated to social innovation have collaborated such as  Fab Lab, IAAC, Open Systems - UB, 4Sfera, Ideas for Change and the Università Iuav di Venezia, proposes a revision of the smart cities concept where the use of technologies is not the solution, but a tool to constantly renew society. Highlighting the role of architecture and urban planning, the exhibition aimed to address air pollution and the importance of citizen participation in evidence gathering.

We organized a series of workshops with the public called “VenicAir” alongside FabLab, in which, through a participatory citizen sensing strategy, we identified and designed environmental kits to measure air quality and thus contribute to building more sustainable and healthy cities.

Our role

Our role

  • Organization of participatory workshops

  • Research on citizen science and air pollution in Venice

  • Collection of citizen data on air quality using Smart Citizen Kit sensors

  • Adaptation of the Making Sense project with IAAC

  • Audiovisual production

  • Participation in the Venice Biennale 2021

Team

Giovanni is a researcher passionate about exploring current challenges at the intersection of technology, institutions, and society. With a background in engineering and a PhD in Information Systems, his research interests encompass IT and data governance, smart cities, open data and technology, and Management Information Systems (MIS).

giovannimaccani@ideasforchange.com

Giovanni Maccani

Research Director

With an extensive background in audiovisual production and education, Martín produces and directs all audiovisual content at Ideas for Change. He is currently involved in European projects focused on citizen impact, as well as initiatives promoting regenerative tourism.

martin@ideasforchange.com

Martín Balestrini

Audiovisual Production Manager

Client

Client

Scientific research

VenicAir: air pollution and civic participation