City website opens data to public

Toronto has opened a new website that will allow users to search and download city data in an effort to increase transparency.

Instead of contacting the city and requesting information be sent to them, Torontonians can now go to toronto.ca/open and download data about, among other topics,the TTC, daycare centres, parks or neighbourhoods designated as priorities for investment.

The city hopes to make much more data available in the future.

"We are letting the most valuable asset the information and knowledge generated on behalf of the public available to everyone who wants it," said Mayor David Miller at a news conference.

The city hopes those who visit the site will be able to harness theraw datato create applications or resources that everyone can use. Users could thencreate an interactive map of the city's daycare centres or a TTC scheduleresourceakin tothe Red Rocket, anunofficial year-old iPhone application.

The city also said in a releaseit wants to hear from Torontonians what kind of data they would like to see on the site. Data will be reviewed before it is releasedto ensure that people's privacy is protected, the city said.