INFORMATION SCIENCE SEMINAR

Anthony Townsend, New York University

Date: Friday, February 20, 2004 

Location: Cornell Information Science, 301 College Avenue, Seminar Room

Title of the talk: Digitally Mediated Public Space - Where Ubiquitous Computing Hits the Reality of the Streets

Abstract

This presentation will discuss the challenge of rethinking the way we interact with digital computing and communications systems as a result of two major technological and market trends - the mass diffusion of personal mobile communications, and the convergence of wireless and locative media (GPS, GIS). How does the "urbanization" of computing - moving it out of the home and office and onto the street - challenge the assumptions of information and computer scientists interested in ubiquitous computing? How could the ways people understand and use space impact their computing and communications needs? This talk will draw upon three classic texts of urbanism as a potential template for thinking of how to solve timeless urban design challenges with new technologies.

Bio

Anthony Townsend is Adjunct Professor of Communications and Urban Planning at New York University. His scholarly and professional work focuses on the role of telecommunications in urban development and design. He is a co-founder and board member of NYCwireless and Wireless Commons, non-profit organizations that promote community broadband initiatives using unlicensed wireless spectrum. Most recently he founded Emenity, a systems integration firm that builds and manages public local wireless networks. He holds a Ph.D. in urban and regional planning from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

For more information please contact Phoebe Sengers at sengers@cs.cornell.edu