The text explores the potential of mobile phones to provide users with real time environmental data about the location, weather, temperature, and air quality etc. of their surroundings. The new sensor rich mobile technology has the potential to inform everyday citizens about how their lifestyle choices make an impact in the quality of the world we live in. In the long term, real time environmental information provided via mobile phones can encourage citizens to make meaningful local and global changes to their environment.
The concept of Urban Computing is also explored in the text. Urban computing is the integration of lifestyles and technologies in public urban places. Urban Computing is broken into 5 themes: People, Place, Infrastructure, Architecture and Flow.
The notion of Urban Computing is coupled with a series of design scenarios where in experiments using mobile phones which contain Bluetooth tracking devices and air quality sensors were given to local residents. The data from each individual’s device could be used to inform both the user and the wider community of the varying air quality levels in their local area. Data could also be compared to other cities, states and countries. It is anticipated that the overall effect of an Urban Computing System has the potential to make individuals more aware of their surroundings, and collectively learn and lobby for change in their community.
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