Discuss how social networking tools can integrate

with GIT to facilitate public engagement in Hong

Kong.

LSGI4321 GEOINFORMATION FOR URBAN AND REGIONAL STUDIES

CHEN Wen

08857179D

1. IntroductionNowadays GPS and social networking such as Facebook and Twitter are hot topics in the

society. With the development of smartphones and positioning technology, the social

networks also change a lot. Google’s research shows that there are 35% of Hong Kong people

using smart phones, ranking third highest in the world.Hong Kong smartphone users love to

logon social networking sties, 57% visit social networking sties every day. (31 Aug Google)

These developments cause the rapid corporation between social networking and GIT, which

facilitate people’s everyday life and their social ways. Such as users can use Facebook to

place their and their friends positions, by Foursquare and Gowalla users can sign anywhere,

and by Banjo and Sonar users can automatically discover people nearby.

It is obvious that these technologies can change public engagement. In this report, mainly

two parts will be discussed, first is how social networking tools can integrate with GIT; and

secondly how these tools can facilitate the public engagement in Hong Kong.

2. Social networking tools and GIT2.1. Social networking tools A social network is a social structure made up of individuals (or organizations) called

"nodes", which are tied (connected) by one or more specific types of interdependency, such

as friendship, kinship, common interest, financial exchange, dislike, sexual relationships, or

relationships of beliefs, knowledge or prestige.(Wikipedia)

Social networking tools are tools that people using related to social networking, they offer a

set of functionality for connecting with other people and holding on-going conversations.

Additionally, they offer a dynamic notification service, which provides updates on the

activities of friends.There are some popular social networking tools listed: Facebook, twitter,

Blog, QQ, MSN, SMS, Weibo, etc.

2.2. GIT

2.2.1. Geographic Information Technology

GIT is represented as Geographic Information Technology, which includes: Geographic

Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS) andRemote Sensing

Technologies including aerial and satellite image analysis (RST).

Nowadays GPS is more and more important in our daily life.

2.2.2. Location Based Service

Location Based Service is an information or entertainment service, accessible with mobile

devices through the mobile network and utilizing the ability to make use of the geographical

position of the mobile device.LBS include services to identify a location of a person or object,

such as discovering the nearest banking cash machine or the whereabouts of a friend or

employee. LBS include parcel tracking and vehicle tracking services. LBS can include mobile

commerce when taking the form of coupons or advertising directed at customers based on

their current location. They include personalized weather services and even location-based

games. They are an example of telecommunication convergence.(Wikipedia) when it related

to social networking tools, services such as determining the user/mobile device’s location,

providing services of location-related information, discovering the nearest place that users

are interested and so on.

Location Based Service is a connection between social networking tools and GIT.

2.3. Applications

2.3.1.1. FourSquare

It is a location-based social networking website for mobile devices and allows registered

users to post their location at a venue ("check-in") and connect with friends. Users can create

a "To Do" list for their private use and add "Tips" to venues that other users can read, which

serve as suggestions for great things to do, to see or to eat at the location.

2.3.1.2. Holler

Users could find someone who has the same interests nearby.

2.3.1.3. Igobubble

Users could leave bubbles at a certain place, when your friends come to this place, he/she

may open these bubbles to check the information you leave.

3. Public engagement3.1. Public engagement It is used to describe "the involvement of specialists listening to, developing their

understanding of, and interacting with, non-specialists."(Wikipedia) it refers to the public

participation or public consultation.

In Hong Kong, matters especially some public policies would cause discussion and

participation in media, talk shows, network message, Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Community,

MSN, mobile phone text messages and telephone voice.

Public engagement and Urban Planning will be discussed as an example.

3.2. Urban design study for the New Central Harbourfront Stage 1 public engagement: Invite public views on the urban design objectives, urban design

issues and sustainable design principles for the new central harbourfront. (Planning

Department, May 2007)

The pictures above show the urban design study from Planning Department to refine the

existing urban design framework and to prepare planning/design briefs for key sites in the

new Central Harbourfront to guide the future development. It integrates community inputs

in the study through an open, transparent and collaborative public engagement process.

3.3. Public engagement and Urban Planning

Public participation can be introduced in planning, decision-making, construction,

management and maintenance of the entire process.The introduction of pre-planning public

participation is generally carried out in the early residents of planning survey, including

demolition, housing, transportation and other issues. In the implementation process, public

participation is reflected in the brainstorming process of building and supervision.Public

participation also needs to focus on foreign workers to understand the perception and

understanding of the city, so that they participate in the city's tourism, life, and cultural

aspects.

4. Public engagement and social networking tools can integrate with GIT4.1. Government 2.0

With the number of members ofFacebook exceeded five hundred million, the importance of

social media from the former "should use" to today "must use", and "how best to use" the

issues; the government should catch up as well as business.After the battle of high-speed

rail, Hong Kong government has realized the power of social media and hopes to enhance

electronic public participation by social media and construct the “government 2.0”.

From the book <Government 2.0> of William D. Eggers in 2007, he proposes the use of

information technology to construct a "Government without Wall" of an ideal world. The

book explains how to strengthen the interactionbetween government and citizen.

The “Government 2.0” (Gov 2.0) refers to the government use Web 2.0 to attract Public

engagement, through the full exchange on the network and participate in interactive

electronic activities (E-Participation), so that public policies can communicate and promote

more effectively (Oreilly, 2010).

The goals of Hong Kong government using social media contain: policies in internet, improve

government engagement online and enhance the communication with public. For example:

The government has developedsocial media platforms such as Facebook, Blog, Youtube and

Tudou.

4.2. How the GIT can help the public engagement?

4.2.1. Snap Send Solve

An example of Australia can take as a reference. Developed by OutwareMoblie, Snap Send

Solve is a free app for your iPhone or Android device that lets you report issues and provide

feedback to your local council in under 30 seconds Australia wide.

Snap Send Solve determines your council using your smartphone’s GPS location. Once your

GPS location has been determined the server sends back all relevant council details,

including contact information, location, and email contact. Snap Send Solve allows you to

easily capture and report on common issues including Litter, Hard waste, Parking, Street

Cleaning, Trees, Noise, and also provide a general request or general feedback. All reports

from Snap Send Solve are sent from the app using your email address so that the council can

communicate directly with you to fix the issue.

From the Australianexample, I think Hong Kong Government can also use and develop this

software to enhance the public engagement because it is simple and convenient.Users can

also share this with friends in the Facebook and Twitter and make them know the

reports/issues.

4.2.2. American elections

Another example is from American elections. We have witnessed the power of social media

in 2008 when the presidential election.The next presidential election, geographic positioning

will be involved.In 2012, the geographical location-based technology will play a more central

role, to organize and manage elections. Citizens will see these processes in action with the

position sensing applications on the browser and voters will be more active in voting choice.

Citizens will be able to witness the election and activities of the camp to get a large number

of data, and use these data to find the target, to enhance the power of optimization strategy.

They can grasp the geographical positioning of political parties, candidates, and operational

objectives will be calculated to obtain the actual benefits. (Elections app)

This is also a good reference for the elections of Hong Kong.

4.2.3. Public Web-GIS Platform

Public Web-GIS Platform for analyzingvisual and environmental impacts of reclamation works

in the victoria harbor.

The primary aim of the project is to implement a methodology that allows the public to

undertake visual assessment and inspection of possible environmental impacts of

construction projects. Four objectives have been identified in relation to providing

information on existing and proposed reclamations in the Victoria Harbor:

1. Establish a web-based platform to amass information including map, documents,

graphics and other visual aids, on reclamation works in Hong Kong;

2. Enable dynamic and interactive interface of three-dimensional (3D) models of the

site before and after the reclamation works;

3. Provide view shed and analytical tools that enable users to examine visibility from

various viewing directions and locations;

4. Create a two-way communication channel with which the public can put down their

opinions and judgments after inspecting the construction projects.

Public can undertake visual assessment and inspect possible environmental impacts of

construction projects. They can use smartphones to position, take phones, login social

networking tools such as Favebook and Twitter to share with friends or make some

comments that more people could participate to discuss. They can go to the government’s

social website to report issues or some feedbacks. Software like Snap Send Solve also could

be used to report issues and provide feedback to thegovernment.

4.2.4. 3-Dimensional EIA Public Engagement Tools

The 3D EIA public engagement tools aim at engaging individual citizens in

informeddiscussions on major proposals and facilitating a better understanding of the

project and issuesthrough the use of latest 3D digital tools, technologies and multi-media

platforms. The toolsenable the public to experience the possible future scenarios.

Having understood the project and the environmental issues involved, the public can make

useof the 3D EIA public engagement tools to offer suggestions, innovative solutions,

alternativeoptions and mitigation measures. Consensus can be developed through this re-

iterativeinformation exchange, engagement and informed dialogue process offered by the

tools. (Environmental Protection Department, Environmental Assessment & Noise Division)

This is a promising tool for public to communicate with each other and also with the

government. If it can cooperate with social networking tools, users can offer suggestions,

innovative solutions, alternativeoptions and mitigation measures more widely and

convenient.

4.2.5. Community Mapping for Elections and News Reporting

It is a seminar forjournalists and mediaexperts to exploreMaps and Geographic Information

Systems (GIS) in news reporting.

Journalists strive to include the 5Ws (who, what, when, where, why) and an H (how) in their

news reporting. When presented with information on where an event occurred and what

that location is like, the readers can better appreciate how and why the event actually took

place.

Geography and maps have often played an important role to their viewers and readers. Maps

have been used widely in media to cover a broad range of news about diseases. Crimes,

accidents, local events, battles, terrorist attacks, and disasters. Spatial patterns manifested

on maps can ignite insights and provoke speculation on various happenings in a community.

Not only can maps help reveal the distribution of electoral votes by political parties; they can

also enlighten readers about the profile of Hong Kong electors and their propensity to vote.

The seminar also highlights how the Geographic Information System (GIS) technology can be

used to achieve greater depth and relevance in news reporting. Prevalent issues on harbour

reclamation, crime prevention, traffic accident analysis, and disease control and monitoring

will be discussed with map illustrations for news coverage. (Dr. Lai, P.C., Dr.Mak, A.S.H., Ms.

Chan, K.W., Ms. Leung, T.S., Mr. So, F.M. Aug 2004)

This is an exciting concept and public may be interested in. because maps are used almost

everywhere, especially there are Facebook places, TwitterVision, Mytweetmap, Twitterearth

and so on, and Google and android are exploring new technologies of maps and GPS. There

will be more GIT-based social networking appear and help the public engagement.

5. ConclusionGeography, maps, 3D models and GPS are more and more important in our social life, and

there are many social networking tools caught this opportunity to enhance their functions

and facilitate their users’ communications. The Hong Kong government also uses these tools

to communicate with public such as the Government 2.0, social website, Public Web-GIS

Platform, 3-Dimensional EIA Public Engagement Tools, etc. which increase the public

engagement obviously and no doubt attract more people to participate, but how to widely

implement and promote will be a goal in the future.

Reference

Summary of CBC Forum, 27/12/2006

Chief Executive's Office Social Media Strategy, CHEN YuePeng, 22/2/2011

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_network

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Location_based_service

http://snapsendsolve.com/Snap_Send_Solve_-

_Report_to_Council_with_your_iPhone_or_A ndroid_smartphone_by_Outware_Mobile.html

http://www.lbsvision.com/archives/tag/greenopia

http://147.8.187.253/website/hr/

http://geog.hku.hk/gislab/Seminars/Seminars.htm

3-Dimensional EIAPublic Engagement Tools, Environmental Protection Department and

Environmental Assessment & Noise Division, 2004.