What is Open Data?

Open Data is all about promoting transparency and innovation; by making it truly accessible and barrier-free we are doing so much more than simply publishing data.

Edmonton’s Open Data Portal provides public access to hundreds of datasets within our Open Data Catalogue. Available in multiple formats, they can be downloaded for free.

We encourage you to explore Edmonton’s Open Data Portal for research, to develop apps or simply to take a look around. From the portal you can access the following that use our Open Data:

  • Citizen Dashboard - provides you with interactive access to the latest performance data and trends on a wide range of municipal services and a timely look at how we’re building one of North America’s great capital cities
  • Open Budget - created using financial Open Data with the interactive charts, graphs, and tables it guides you through complex financial information
  • Citizen Connect (formerly 311 Explorer) - you can see on a map the various types of reports made to 311 in your neighbourhood and across the city on public property
  • Open Analytics Visualizations - visualizations that lets you explore various datasets by dimensions like type, time, or neighbourhood

Open Data at the City of Edmonton

The City of Edmonton is the Canadian leader in Open Data and has recently been awarded the 2016 Canadian Open Data Award for Accessibility by the Open Data Society of BC and Open North. It was the fourth municipality and the third major Canadian city to host an online Open Data Catalogue when the City launched its platform in January, 2010. The catalogue has grown to include a wide variety of datasets and visualizations, making data related to roadways maintenance, locations of schools, varieties of trees, municipal elections data, aggregate municipal census data and much more available to the public. Anyone accessing data through the Open Data Catalogue can combine that data with contextual elements, transforming raw data to useful information.

Edmonton is the first organization in Canada and the United States to adopt the International Open Data Charter - a commitment to implement global best practice standards to achieve the full potential of the open data movement.

Edmonton’s Open Data Strategy integrates the principles of the International Open Data Charter, outlines an action plan to realize the value of open data and provides metrics to evaluate performance. Through the application of this Open Data Strategy, Edmonton will continue to demonstrate international leadership in the practice of open government and will fulfill its role as a preeminent global city.

Data released by the City has the potential to be both impactful and beneficial, contributing to the livability of our city. Open data allows for direct visibility into how decisions are made, empowers citizens and enhances the relationship between citizens and public organizations.