In the “Colouring Dresden” project, interested parties can compile a wide range of building data in an interactive map on the Internet. The project uses the citizen science approach, i.e. it involves the general public in its work. Since March 2023, citizen scientists have already collected around 33,000 building characteristics on the open interactive platform. The researchers from the IOER make the collected data - for example on age, architectural style or number of storeys - available to other research projects as well as planning offices and private individuals free of charge and openly accessible.

With this open data approach, the project team from the IOER, consisting of Robert Hecht, Tabea Danke and Theodor Rieche, has now been successful at the SaxFDM Open Data Award 2024. The team was awarded second prize. Open data means that scientific data is freely accessible and usable. "In the case of 'Colouring Dresden', the thousands of building data collected as well as all development steps and the platform code are available as open data on the platform for citizens, researchers and developers," explains Robert Hecht, project manager at the IOER. "This creates transparency and promotes the exchange of knowledge: and so we can work together to develop solutions to make Dresden more sustainable and climate-resilient," adds Tabea Danke, participation researcher at the IOER. The team is particularly pleased that this approach was successful in the SaxFDM Open Data Award 2024. The evaluation was carried out by a jury formed by the SaxFDM state initiative, taking into account the FAIR principles (findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable) as well as open data criteria.

The award ceremony took place on 17 September during the SaxFDM conference at the TU Bergakademie Freiberg. On this occasion, the project team was able to present "Colouring Dresden" in more detail to the conference participants. Second place in the award is endowed with prize money totalling 200 euros.

SaxFDM Open Data Award
SaxFDM is an initiative of Saxon universities and research institutions for networking, cooperation and coordination of activities related to research data management. The initiative presented its first award in 2023. Following this first edition, which focussed on data that complies with the FAIR principles (findable, accessible, interoperable, reusable), SaxFDM 2024 broadened its focus and presented the SaxFDM Open Data Award to recognise exemplary approaches in the field of open research data.