Hello
As suggested in the rules of this forum a brief introduction prior to
responding to some of the threads on the Brighton & Hove E-Democracy forum
which I have been following with interest since it was first launched.
Although not born in Brighton & Hove I have lived and worked here most of my
life. I live in the Seven Dials area and have done so for over 40 years.
My parents live in Brighton & Hove and my Father is a born and bred
Brightonian!
Due to the terrain of Brighton (as it is built on the downs it is hilly) one
has many wonderful views of the City from many different places as one moves
around the City. The house that Rosaline and I live in has such wonderful
views and due to living in the same place for a long time - over 35 years
(well in my lifetime at least) one is able to naturally observe the living
dynamic City and its surrounds (as the open Downs are also visible) that we
all live within.
The spatial view of Brighton and Hove over time is constantly changing - for
example the replacement of grey slate roofs for the red concrete tiles, the
presence or absence of trees, buildings being painted white, planning going
wrong in the spatial sense in that tall buildings are put up which do not
fit in with the surrounds, the changes in noise levels, the decline in the
railway network, the changes in street parking, the use of Preston Park, the
impact of the European Union Common Agriculture Policy (which has changed
the use of the open downs and the crops that have been grown on them over
time), the increasing presence of rooms in the lofts of houses, the change
from dust bins to black bags and all that has followed (litter!), the
decline in birds in the garden, the appearance of satellite dishes, radio
masts, to mention just a few of the changes that have been observed as well
as recorded in family photographs. Brighton & Hove like all urban and rural
areas all across the world are constantly changing not just over years but
also over the time of the day!
Having worked with all aspects of computing throughout my working life my
interests lie with the Information Society and Knowledge Economy not just
here in the UK but also the wider Europe and at the global level especially
with respect to ensuring inclusivity for all the worlds citizens to this new
age. E-Democracy is a part of this hence the reason for registering with
this local forum amongst others.
I am active in the Information Society policy matters (the soft issues such
as the law, freedom of information, data and information accessibility and
the right to use for example rather than the under lying technologies) and I
specialise in spatial (geographic) information aspects. Brighton & Hove
City Council I feel sure use such tools (GIS and geographic information) to
assist them plan and to deliver the wide variety of services that they
provide on our behalves. What is of interest here in relation to many of
the threads debated on this forum is how B&H City Council do not use the
tools, technologies and data that they have to present the many options
under consideration to the local society more coherently and easily using
geographic information. I hasten to add that the City Council here is not
alone in this by the way.
I like many of those registered on this forum I expect travel around the UK,
the wider Europe and the world quite freely and in that respect I am very
fortunate. I am always very grateful for the facilities that others
provide not just for themselves in their localities to support them in their
daily lives but also for those that are visiting their localities. I would
very much hope to always witness that the City of Brighton & Hove and its
citizens do likewise - I am sure we are - as I can see the constant changes
that have taken place over time and are still taking place due to the
changes in society.
I also use many of the excellent leisure facilities within the City
including lawn bowling and I am the Hon Secretary for one of the local
bowling clubs. For those interested in bowls or would like to try it out
why not join in the Mayors Charity Bowling match that will be held in
Preston Park on Sunday 24th April 2005. The closing dates for teams (which
must be mixed both in gender and bowling experience) is the 1st April. If
interested email me off line from the forum.
Chris (Corbin)
Seven Dials area
Brighton