@SQ9: an MIT DUSP 11.458 project

About @SQ9

What was @SQ9?

What makes a successful public space? @SQ9 was a pop-up event organized by MIT Class 11.458, Crowd Sourced City: Civic Tech Prototyping, that sought to measure how physical interventions can activate and improve public space. From May 7th to May 10th, the plaza in front of MIT Building 9 was transformed by furniture, paint, and plants. Throughout the week, sensors were used to collect data in order to provide analysis on best practices for public space programming.

How did @SQ9 use collected data?

@SQ9 was tracking place, not people. We did not collect any personal information, and all of the data that we did collect was aggregated and not personally identifiable. All video recordings were captured from an aerial view, and image processing performed was unable to conduct facial recognition. No voice or audio recordings were made. If you have any questions or privacy concerns, please contact the @SQ9 team at sq9@mit.edu.

Data Collection

How did the @SQ9 team collect data? Sensors were used to measure how effective physical interventions were in activating @SQ9 as a public space.

Wifi Sensing

With the help of Raspberry Pis installed across the Building 9 plaza, WiFi was used to sense the MAC addresses of nearby smartphones, thereby determining the presence of a person visiting @SQ9. By aggregating this data, the @SQ9 team was able to measure pedestrian traffic throughout the event.

Bluetooth Tracking

Using Bluetooth trackers that were installed in our custom-built furniture, the @SQ9 team monitored furniture use and movement to determine whether our furniture successfully activated @SQ9 as a public space.

Image Processing

Image processing was used to track furniture movement throughout the @SQ9 event. Utilizing aerial imagery taken from MIT Building 9, the @SQ9 team used image processing to measure how and when visitors took a seat at @SQ9.

Schedule

@SQ9 took place from May 7th to May 10th, 2019.

Tuesday, May 7th

Pixelated Plaza

On Tuesday, @SQ9 was painted using a vibrant pixel pattern. Data was collected to determine whether this new design feature affected use patterns of the plaza.
Wednesday, May 8th

Sit Down @SQ9

On Wednesday, @SQ9's custom-built furniture was installed on the Building 9 plaza. Data was collected on use of this furniture.
Thursday, May 9th

Programs @SQ9

A plant sale was held @SQ0 on Thursday.
Friday, May 10th

Grand Finale

For its grand finale, @SQ9 held a happy hour on site.