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In this commentary, we describe the current state of the art of points of interest (POIs) as digital, spatial datasets, both in terms of their quality and affordings, and how they are used across research domains. We argue that good spatial coverage and high-quality POI features — especially POI category and temporality information — are key for creating reliable data. We list challenges in POI geolocation and spatial representation, data fidelity, and POI attributes, and address how these challenges may affect the results of geospatial analyses of the built environment for applications in public health, urban planning, sustainable development, mobility, community studies, and sociology. This commentary is intended to shed more light on the importance of POIs both as standalone spatial datasets and as input to geospatial analyses.

The configuration of public open spaces plays a crucial role in shaping how different people use them. Nevertheless, our understanding of how the physical features of public open spaces influence the activities conducted within them, and the extent to which this impact differs across various individuals and population groups, is currently limited. In this study, we explore how the physical characteristics of public open spaces influence the likelihood of use among individuals, spanning different age and gender groups. By employing crowdsourcing, street-level imagery, statistical comparisons, and reflexive thematic analysis we uncover significant variations in the suitability of public open spaces for distinct activities, such as socializing or exercising. Greenspaces emerge as the preferred choice for almost all activities, whereas streets are consistently rated as the least suitable. Additionally, we identified various characteristics that influence the activities people are likely to engage in. These include the size of the space, the presence of seating, natural elements such as vegetation or water bodies, and the proximity to transport infrastructure. Surprisingly, we do not observe statistically significant differences in preferences among most age and gender groups. Overall, our study underscores the need for providing a diverse range of public open spaces tailored to accommodate different individuals, population groups, and activities.

Different data sources and the methods that turn the generated data into insights have hitherto largely shaped how we conceptualize urban phenomena. Coarse-grained or aggregate data allow us to understand the evolution of a phenomenon (e.g. traffic flows, gentrification, etc.) within a specific and predefined area - or spatial unit - at a larger scale (e.g. neighborhood, postcode area, etc.). Fine-grained or disaggregated data offer the possibility of gaining insight into processes at a smaller scale. One example could be the daily commuting behavior of a group of individuals from home to work, or the amount of people visiting a shop over the course of a day.

The city is a complex object. Some researchers look at its shape, others at its people, animals, ecology, policy, infrastructures, buildings, history, art, or technical networks. Some researchers analyse processes of in- or exclusion, gentrification, or social mobility; others biological evolution, traffic flows, or spatial development. Many combine these topics or add still more topics beyond this list. Some projects cross the boundaries of research and practice and engage in action research, while others pursue knowledge for the sake of curiosity. This volume embraces this variety of perspectives and provides an essential collection of methodologies for studying the city from multiple, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary perspectives. We start by recognizing that the complexity of the urban environment cannot be understood from a single vantage point. We therefore offer multiple methodologies in order to gather and analyse data about the city, and provide ways to connect and integrate these approaches. The contributors form a talented network of urban scholars and practitioners at the forefront of their fields. They offer hands-on methodological techniques and skills for data collection and analysis. Furthermore, they reveal honest and insightful reflections from behind the scenes. All methodologies are illustrated with examples drawn from the authors own research applying them in the city of Amsterdam. In this way, the volume also offers a rich collection of Amsterdam-based research and outcomes that may inform local urban practitioners and policy makers. Altogether, the volume offers indispensable tools for and aims to educate a new generation of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary-minded urban scholars and practitioners.

In this paper, we outline the vision of chatbots that facilitate the interaction between citizens and policy-makers at the city scale. We report the results of a co-design session attended by more than 60 participants. We give an outlook of how some challenges associated with such chatbot systems could be addressed in the future.