Website lets the public have their say

City gets in on social media

Published: October 01, 2009 5:19 a.m.

Last modified: October 01, 2009 12:23 a.m.

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A new social media website hopes to engage Calgarians and generate ideas for a better city.

Futurecalgary.ca is being launched by Fused Logic Inc. as an ongoing “town-hall” meeting.

“To, on a citizen level, help the conversation continue publicly,” said Walter Schwabe, the CEO of Fused Logic.

Though numerous social media sites already exist to help people connect, Schwabe said none of them solely focuses on generating ideas about improving the community.

“You’d have to surf like crazy, who has time for that,” he said.

Schwabe said the website is intentionally simple so that all members of the community can use it.

It also allows others to comment on ideas and vote for them, which will keep the most popular ideas on top of the pile.

The site is meant to help city council get a sense of what people are concerned about and hopefully connect with people who have ideas.

“If everybody embraces it … it really can be this great communications tool,” Schwabe said.

The website is just being launched but Ward 11 Ald. Brian Pincott believes opening this kind of civic conversation has tremendous potential.

“Anything that promotes the exchange of ideas and discussion on what we can do in our city to make our city better is a good thing,” Pincott said.

“That means of public exchange of ideas and dialogue to me is a foundation for a great city and I think for the most part is lacking in Calgary.

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