The Innovation Lab Phase 3 Share your ideas! (Completed) March 19 - April 2

With the load that bridges bear, the particularly tough Calgary climate due to the freeze-thaw conditions and particularly with bridges usually built over water, you will get heaving and concrete will crack more so than other concrete infrastructures. In the past structural health monitoring (SHM) was a very manual process. We have now new opportunities for our society to co-exist and interact with smart interconnected devices that are known as the Internet of Things (IoT), but unfortunately, most of the existing SHM systems are not connected to IoT. This is now an opportunity to build a digital model of the selected bridges in real time by transferring the data by longer range, lower power connectivity products like Wi-Fi HaLow locally for testing and calibration. So, not only would bridge health be monitored, but a dual opportunity to predicting and analyzing climate change impacts and quantifying natural variability are available. This additional benefit may be of greater importance since it involves more than bridges and affects a city in many other areas of concern.

The bridge data would be sent to maintenance crews and engineer/scientists using web-based interfaces to view and analyze the collected data in real-time using evaluation algorithms. As for climate data, it could be used for detecting temporal trends; providing information that will allow for a better understanding of the relationships between biological, thermal, and hydrologic data. These would allow The City to understand how the natural system has behaved by comparing historical data with a more precise local IoT sensor readings. This data would provide The City information on how the natural systems are changing from historical trends by maintaining monitoring systems that inform locally specific climate and hydrological model outputs. Using business intelligence and analytics, The City would then be able to determine and plan for those climate impacts that has the highest probability of occurring.

As mentioned in this pages three previous boxes, this can be accomplished by using current technology that allows the ability to gather large amount of data by using tools such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and incorporating longer range, lower power connectivity through products incorporating IEEE 802.11ah devices. This would be then sent to maintenance crews and engineer/scientists using web-based interfaces to view and analyze the collected data in real-time using evaluation algorithms. This same data for climate change would involve more use of Business Intelligence, Analytics and Data Modelling to determine trends and impacts.

Calgary has focused on fostering and maintaining the success of the Energy sector, and overall this has been of great benefit to the city. It has been challenging for new emerging technologies to get the support and visibility required to be successful. In creating a hub that will foster technology in areas traditionally outside of the energy sector, such as agri-business, a hub can help foster diversity and lead to economic development and stability in the future. This will also help Calgary address current downtown vacancy rates, and inject energy, innovation and growth into our downtown core.

The effectiveness of this idea can be measured through the following:
-Entrepreneurial & organizational growth of the organizations that leverage economic development hubs
-Change in downtown commercial vacancy rates
-Net new investment made in Calgary’s technology sector

Technology plays a pivotal role - and TELUS is able to provide the physical connectivity (fibre & wireless), and the scalable data orchestration technology behind the “Virtual Industrial Park”. Use of this space and technology will enable the entrepreneurial growth and economic diversification that Calgary needs.

The development of downtown’s East village has proved that, it is important to have a great mix of new and old in order to retain the cultural richness of city. It also authorizes cleansing of space which traditionally has stereotypical sentiments attached to it. Similar to Simmon’s block which houses businesses and allows a shared space for businesses; it is important to look into developing areas that surround Calgary Drop-In and Rehab Centre as well.

Repurposing historical buildings into cultural spaces will allow the use of pathway’s, bike lanes and slowly divert the inherent issues that an area surrounding rehab’s and drop in’s face and eliminate stereotypical fears that citizens have for areas surrounding Drop-In centres. It helps develop the East village further, supporting downtown living and growth of businesses in surrounding areas creating more jobs and opportunities. It also permits use of technology new and existing to flourish hand in hand as city repurposes it old with new.

There are various examples all over North America which used similar idea, which proved to be successful to create the creative, economical and entreprenurial richness of the city.One such example is linked below:

https://epicureandculture.com/historical-buildings-accommdation-cultural-spaces/

The increased used of pathways, bike lanes, development of areas with more cultural richness, more shared spaces eliminating crime in and around Drop- In centre. the most direct effect of this could be measured by the amount of jobs and business opportunities that the reinvention of this space will permit.

Use of technology, architecture, newer construction methods, creative collaboration and public input are the most important aspects of projects like such. The redevelopment of spaces with historical significance requires use of technology, IT, newer and ecological methods of construction and creative collaboration which can be used from local artists. All these simple factors constitutes the scope of technology that is required to reinvent and redevelop and re use this space into something more meaningful.

This initiative would transform the entire Calgary landscape. By becoming more compassionate we would see the impacts everywhere, from our citizens living more fulfilled lives, having more work satisfaction, to more inclusion and acceptance, to lowered poverty rates, to more trust and respect, to improved city services such as healthcare, emergency services, and governance.

Compassion is not a tangible "thing", however, its impacts are so far reaching. Because of this, measuring the impact of having a more compassionate city would need to be studied. The suggestion would be to focus on certain areas that could benefit greatly from an increased level of compassion and creating some metrics to measure improvements in those areas. In general, however, measurement can be done through surveys, through volunteering engagement numbers, through engagement on social media within the campaign, through to how much chit chat there is on the c-train in the morning! The university of calgary has also conducted some research on how to measure compassion within the nursing profession - this work can be explored and deployed for this initiative as well.

Being more compassionate will actually improve the effectiveness of technology when deployed in our city. Technology is key to deploying the campaign and engaging with citizens. Data from different sources, such as the city, healthcare, employers, general surveys, social media campaign data, can all be baselined prior to launching the campaign and success criteria defined.

PAAVAA's primary purpose is to create a platform of entrepreneurs and local businesses that are easily accessible through a convenient, digital infrastructure.

The application fits well within the economic trend of using smartphones and mobile applications to get things done quickly and affordably. It also fits into the social trend of convenience, coupled with facilitations provided by technology: people are at home more than before and want quick solutions that are cheap and easy to use.

The market niche, of mobile applications, that PAAVAA currently operates within, is growing to become less niche and more widely adapted as a front or interface for many businesses. Further, the service leverages the fact that employment is becoming increasingly more competitive, and aims to capture people that want to start their own business (entrepreneurs) by providing them with a platform for operations and facilitation.

By the number of users on the application- both service providers and customers looking for services. The number of registered businesses is a testament to the number of people that have taken the risk of opening up businesses in Calgary, and that are looking to service the city and its inhabitants and visitors effectively and affordably.

Technology is the foundation for this idea and application; leveraging mobile connectivity to keep everyone connected and provide businesses and entrepreneurs with opportunities to demonstrate their professionalism, experience and customer service proactivity.

This idea is ambitious because it could render Calgary and Alberta a global leader in materials conversion, recycling and re-use. It could reduce waste and improve the environmental health of Calgary, Alberta and Canada. It would enable economic diversification with the use of existing petroleum products, reduction in dependence upon new petroleum products and help us move towards sustainable innovation.

The effectiveness of this idea can be measured by considering how much daily material waste is collected; what happens to it and how it impacts the environment. We can then consider what the economic benefits would be if we converted these products locally and see the change in economic stimulus through petroleum bi-product conversion, manufacturing, wholesale and retail sales.

This idea is attainable through technology because innovative technology would be required to create the new facilities, develop advanced sorting systems and conversion processes. Data is limitless as the research and innovation possible with a mega-site would enable us to study and determine optimum conversion processes, means to convert, analysis of materials discarded and potential reuse, sales and market potential, domestic use and foreign use. This facility could render Calgary a legitimate leader in materials processing incorporating technology, data analysis, manufacturing strength and equipment innovation.

It hasn’t been done in our city.

Examine the incidence of slip and fall prior to launch and the one season after.

It’s attainable through solar power, existing infrastructure and existing data.

As these may leads to adding funds for the City of Calgary. Also, Will help our city to improve our Unemployment.

Check your database to count how many people travels through C trains every single day and You will get your answer.

Safety comes first. So, Obviously we will be using new electric Equipment's to cook and serve snacks.

To prove Calgary is real on climate issues and so we are not just for oil and alternative
energy and bank the monies saved on other projects for creating other greener projects
with said monies

By seeing the cost and environmental benifits

Already available technology but to a grander scale and would show the world our commitment to a better /cleaner future

This is a futuristic ideas. Innovation is our way to be on top.

Business can bloom. All we need to do is to innovate.

Yes it is very attainable. Digital are the new era.

Through the use of technology and art alone we could transform Calgary into a desirable city for young people, students and immigrants both national and international, and increase tourism, art&tech entrepreneurship and diversification. In my view, technology and art does not necessarily require huge amounts of money to transform a place in unimaginable ways.

Montreal is one of the most interesting and appealing cities in Canada, at least in regard to tourism, festivals, young people wanting to live there. If we analyze most of the things they do in terms of creativity, we realize that it is an attainable thing for Calgary that could not only transform how the city is perceived, but also attract talent and create diversification. Calgary already has many good sides; watch the videos below to see what else could be possible.

- Use of software, projections, sound, lights, concert equipment
- Giving opportunities to tech entrepreneurs that want to create companies related to art
- Asking for help to entrepreneurs, artists, tech startups, volunteers who desire to transform Calgary
- Attracting video games, visual art companies and artists to the city

Montreal seems to know how to combine art and technology to create amazement in its population and visitors; and knows how to produce magnetism. I have lived in Montreal and visited the city in many occasions, and that feeling of amazement when you are there is real, regardless of the season of the year. Here are a few examples of things we could do like Montreal:

City & Art:

- Outdoor Video Projection - Cite Memoire

- Montreal Mural Festival

- Igloofest

- Montreal en lumiere

- Montreal Pink Balls - Sainte-Catherine Street East
http://www.claudecormier.com/en/projet/pink-balls/

- Fireworks Festival

Music & Art:

- Osheaga Festival

- Montreal Jazz Festival

- Just for laughs festival

• Reactions of tourists experiencing Montreal:
  

Other links:

Why we should turn Calgary's empty office towers over to the creative economy
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/why-we-should-turn-calgary-s-empty-office-towers-over-to-the-creative-economy-1.4540775

Practical example of something that the city of Calgary could start doing:
- fill the +15 with art, see Montreal Art Souterrain (https://goo.gl/G5iGaM)
- use art inside ctrain cars
- use artistic projections instead of advertisement when possible
https://www.artsouterrain.com/en

This is an ambitious idea because using aquaponics growing techniques is the way of sustainable organic food production of the future. If done right aquaponics vertical farming grows up to 22x more food per year in the same square feet as terestial growing, using 5% of the water, and staying organic. Reduces our carbon footprint drastically by eliminating transportation of food. With modern lighting technology the cost to produce is reduced significantly. It would make a great gathering place for community. This is the future, we can be the first to do it as a city. To my knowledge anyway

Personal health surveys.

With growing awareness aquaponics growing systems are being developed and improved around the world rapidly. The systems already exist we only need to implement them.

it brings local knowledge, skills and energy directly into our schools making our kids smarter

not measurable...too human

please keep tech out of this one!

it combines the arts economy with the business economy

count the number of new arts entrepreneurs that find a home

its a face to face idea, not a high tech idea

It is ambitious because we would need to create a system or program to perhaps tie the compatability and reliability of the potential strangers living together. We could create programs and have other innovations tie it all in. For the first test period tennents could take a survey and write how they think it could improve, how they feel it is working, does it suit their needs, so on and so forth. This would be highly reccomended for students, and young adults who need affordable housing. There could be one set of “Pods” for young families, one building of “Pods” for adults and if best, some “Pods” set aside for a quieter environment. We could also try to encourage more Calgarians to rent out their houses for cheap by offering them some sort of incentive such as a Tax rebate or reduced bus pass prices, or incentivize them with placing their area of residence on higher priority snow removal routes.

How we would measure the effectiveness of this idea is by survey completion of tennents’ and renters’ satisfaction and if their needs are being met. As well as hopefully people spread their feelings about the system via word of mouth and if more people wish to try “Pod-living” then it will likely express the effectiveness itself. How we currently guage the effectiveness of the idea, take a facebook poll. Get word of mouth spreading, get some feedback and go from there.

This is attainable by sending out survey’s to people digitally and collecting their data. You can put polls out on facebook to see if others would like the idea and would make use of it. I would suggest polling high schools and universities instead of homes as I believe it will be most successfull with people at the ages of 18-30.