Beyond the Smart City: Assessing Open Data in Rural Ontario

Abstract

Open Data has risen in prominence over the past two decades and it is now common for nations, provinces, and cities to establish online portals to make data publicly available. Rural municipalities in Ontario have not seen Open Data develop at the same pace, and it is unclear whether this is due to a lack of interest, insufficient resources, or some other factor. In this research, I analyze of the state of Open Data in rural Ontario, based on a survey and a series of follow-up interviews with municipal staff. This includes comparisons with rural development literature and theory, as well as overarching guidance for future data policy in Ontario.