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H. Pundt and A. Heilmann
Citizens can play an important role, e.g. if they have experiences about facts and
processes that can contribute to assess critically alternative adaptation measures.
(b) Data Visualization (including the verification of external, not official data, e.g.
data collected by citizens) is carried out by the universities’ scientists. The
vulnerability maps encompass spatial data and scenarios [see (a)] in a transparent
manner and are suitable instruments for planning and communication purposes.
The latter is also an important issue to increase the willingness of inhabitants to
implement measures for self-protection (e.g. defense of threats to their estates
regarding mud flows from near slopes, or flooding from close rivers).
(c) Collaboration and communication are central characteristics of the “BebeR”project. This concerns data provision and—processing, the cartographic visualization of results in 2D and 3D, and the development and evaluation of climate
change adaptation measures. In all areas (a–c) the intensive and critical discussion among the project partners is indispensible. Again, it is easily visible
that the building of a collaborative network, representing all relevant actors,
becomes a central factor for the successful processing of the project from start
to end.
2.2.4 Inclusion of Citizens
Citizens are increasingly observed as important data and knowledge deliverers. The
goal is to build partnerships “between volunteers and scientists to answer real world
questions” (Cohn 2008). The EU published a green paper in 2013 and, as a result of
an intensive discussion process, the white paper on Citizen Science was published in
September 2014 (Socientize Consortium 2014). According to the green paper “Citizen Science has been used to define a series of activities that link the general public
with scientific research. Volunteers and non-professionals contribute collectively in
a diverse range of scientific projects to answer real-world questions. Both citizens’
contributions and researchers’ attitudes encompass a wide set of activities at multiple
scales.” (Socientize Consortium 2013).
This citation goes along with what is supposed when saying “Citizen scientists
collect more than data. They gather meaning”, as (Louv 2012) did. Meanwhile, citizen science is understood in a broad sense. It can be considered as collective action
“wherein a variety of contributors invest in (…) providing project support, teaching
people how to collect data, collecting data, helping get the word out, conducting
research with the data, using data to educate others, making observations using
dynamic mapping and visualisation tools, and writing (…) chapters (…) based on
the data” (Triezenberg et al. 2012, p. 215). Such activities can also include different
spatial levels like local, regional, or global. Furthermore, different time frames are
possible, beginning with short term activities and ending up with long term involvement in projects like “BebeR”.
Technologies like IT-infrastructures and corresponding devices are relevant
drivers for Citizen Science because they provide storage and accessibility of the data
sets as well as the computing power to manage the data. Citizen-based resources like
H. Pundt and A. Heilmann
Citizens can play an important role, e.g. if they have experiences about facts and
processes that can contribute to assess critically alternative adaptation measures.
(b) Data Visualization (including the verification of external, not official data, e.g.
data collected by citizens) is carried out by the universities’ scientists. The
vulnerability maps encompass spatial data and scenarios [see (a)] in a transparent
manner and are suitable instruments for planning and communication purposes.
The latter is also an important issue to increase the willingness of inhabitants to
implement measures for self-protection (e.g. defense of threats to their estates
regarding mud flows from near slopes, or flooding from close rivers).
(c) Collaboration and communication are central characteristics of the “BebeR”project. This concerns data provision and—processing, the cartographic visualization of results in 2D and 3D, and the development and evaluation of climate
change adaptation measures. In all areas (a–c) the intensive and critical discussion among the project partners is indispensible. Again, it is easily visible
that the building of a collaborative network, representing all relevant actors,
becomes a central factor for the successful processing of the project from start
to end.
2.2.4 Inclusion of Citizens
Citizens are increasingly observed as important data and knowledge deliverers. The
goal is to build partnerships “between volunteers and scientists to answer real world
questions” (Cohn 2008). The EU published a green paper in 2013 and, as a result of
an intensive discussion process, the white paper on Citizen Science was published in
September 2014 (Socientize Consortium 2014). According to the green paper “Citizen Science has been used to define a series of activities that link the general public
with scientific research. Volunteers and non-professionals contribute collectively in
a diverse range of scientific projects to answer real-world questions. Both citizens’
contributions and researchers’ attitudes encompass a wide set of activities at multiple
scales.” (Socientize Consortium 2013).
This citation goes along with what is supposed when saying “Citizen scientists
collect more than data. They gather meaning”, as (Louv 2012) did. Meanwhile, citizen science is understood in a broad sense. It can be considered as collective action
“wherein a variety of contributors invest in (…) providing project support, teaching
people how to collect data, collecting data, helping get the word out, conducting
research with the data, using data to educate others, making observations using
dynamic mapping and visualisation tools, and writing (…) chapters (…) based on
the data” (Triezenberg et al. 2012, p. 215). Such activities can also include different
spatial levels like local, regional, or global. Furthermore, different time frames are
possible, beginning with short term activities and ending up with long term involvement in projects like “BebeR”.
Technologies like IT-infrastructures and corresponding devices are relevant
drivers for Citizen Science because they provide storage and accessibility of the data
sets as well as the computing power to manage the data. Citizen-based resources like