City 2.0, is an interactive guide platform developed by Ubilabs providing local information about retailers, restaurants and events.
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Challenge
The main challenge is to develop a city centered information portal, providing users with an up to date range of information which focuses on high quality content geared towards local residents of the city as well as visiting tourists.
The second part of the challenge is to establish a solid relationship between inner city areas and the virtual information range.
Only by providing a solution to both challenges will the product be able to meet the needs of users in search of information (tourists and locals) and providers of information (providers of information) alike leading to active participation on both sides.
Solution
City 2.0 solves the challenges by incorporating three basic approaches:
1. Every platform built on City 2.0 is managed by local partners. Ubilabs focuses on development and provision of service. Partners provide content and their unique local knowledge. Furthermore partners account for contacts to stakeholders, who are able to edit and maintain their profile, offerings and coupons single handedly and rapidly. By avoiding stiff top down models content is provided by the city itself with maximized context and therefore quality.
2. City 2.0 is designed as a city wide content platform accessible via Wireless LAN. This allows mobile, free of charge wireless access to information and offerings on the City 2.0 platform. Users can be localized by point of entry, their current WIFI hotspot, which in return allows for providing location based information on the users current perimeter.
3. The core element of interaction with City 2.0 is the map through which all profile pages of any given stakeholder are localized. Through this presentation users quickly relate with the city, identifying streets and spatial connection. Users explore the virtual city before undergoing a real world experience. The map acts an information-hub ready for users to return to any time. For instance, search results are displayed on the map ready for interactive exploration.
Results
First results: City 2.0 serves as a basis for shopping guides in both German cities: Celle and Flensburg. City 2.0 acts as a virtual representation of the inner city. Stakeholders stand up for their own virtual database together through the platform: providing a multitude of relevant content high quality content, ratings as well as increased visibility.
In the city of Celle (encompassing roundabout 70.000 citizens) City 2.0 is administered by the city-management. City-wide coverage of WIFI-hotspots is currently being established. All information on CelleCity.de are provided by its city-management and accredited businesses to the service.
The city of Flensburg is situated in the very north of Germany near the frontier to Denmark (about 400.000 in its growing area). City 2.0 was deployed in two languages due to many visitors from Denmark.
City 2.0 is managed by the local newspaper company. Company profile pages are part of the local advertising range of the publishing house. The business-model: All vendors are offered the choice between four profile pages, three of them are available with individual payment plans. flensburg-city.de showcases round about 800 companies.
Further negotiations with partners in several cities are in progress.
Specific Interests In Meeting Partnering
City authorities, publishing houses and marketing organizations; providers of city-wide WIFI coverage.