Urban Data Mural

The Urban Data Mural is a participatory tool designed to facilitate understanding and use of urban data within sustainability and territorial development research. Developed by Ophélie Templier and Lou Hamonic, this tool addresses the need for dialogue among researchers, territorial managers, citizens, and local stakeholders regarding urban data issues.
The approach aligns with open science principles, relying on typological cards describing different urban data categories, including their origin, quality, accessibility, collection methods, and potential uses. These cards enable participants to visually grasp the diversity of available data, whether open datasets from major national or international platforms or more sensitive data from research or administrative bodies.

Facilitation of the Urban Data Mural follows a design thinking approach, structured into several stages: empathy, issue definition, collective ideation, mural creation, restitution, and collective reflection. Workshops begin with an introduction phase, where each participant shares their concerns and expectations regarding the chosen topic. Discussions deepen through the use of data cards, allowing participants to concretely identify how these resources can support, question, or enrich their approach or project.

Creating the mural requires active participation, as each individual positions and organizes the cards to create a coherent thematic overview. This visualization helps participants identify opportunities, limitations, or gaps in currently accessible data. At the end of the workshops, restitution sessions are organized, allowing each group to present their choices and reflections, thereby enriching exchanges through diverse perspectives.

To ensure rigorous follow-up and effective valorization of results, each mural is documented through photographs and detailed notes. A synthesis is subsequently produced in an alternative publication format (fanzine), providing an accessible summary distributed among participants, thus ensuring broad dissemination of the insights gained from these exchanges.
Finally, regular use of the Urban Data Mural fosters greater ownership of data-related issues by local stakeholders, while promoting the emergence of a shared culture around sustainable urban challenges. It acts both as a medium for dialogue between academia, territorial entities, and civil society, and as an innovative platform for collectively developing informed and inclusive urban projects.