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Digital Trust for Places and Routines (DTPR) is a data structure, visual language and “nutrition label” for urban tech that helps people see and understand how data, sensors and AI shapes the places we live, work and play.
DTPR was first developed as open source under a CC BY 4.0 licence in 2019 at Sidewalk Labs, with stewardship by Helpful Places since mid-2020. It has since been implemented in different parks, municipalities and innovation zones across six different countries around the world. Ensuring that DTPR’s open source resources are available, usable and continue to improve is a core part of Helpful Places’ mission, in addition to developing transparent governance practices to provide visibility on how the DTPR standard is evolving and why.
We have created a new Guide to the Digital Trust for Places and Routines (DTPR) Standard to assist those looking to deploy the standard by explaining how DTPR works.
The Guide consists of sections that outline how the standard was developed, what it consists of, how it works and detailed explanations of DTPR’s taxonomy, visual language, and data chains. The Guide also provides details on the design principles underlying DTPR, and details on how to create your own digital channel, data chains, and signage using the standard.
The standard was always designed to be open-source, and those who want to implement it can access freely downloadable assets including the associated icons, taxonomy, and guides to DTPR implementation in an updated repository in GitHub. As a standard that continues to evolve in fostering transparency and digital trust with regard to technologies in the built environment, we have built a process in collaboration with Superbloom Design, you can view via the DTPR GitHub repository’s issues to ensure that legacy changes to the standard are documented and shared publicly.
As an increasingly recognized emerging global standard, we want to ensure an open and inclusive governance model so that as the standard evolves, changes are research-backed and the result of open decision-making that includes stakeholders. For that purpose we have formed a DTPR Community of Practice Council to support efforts to steward DTPR and its adoption on a global scale. The Council is currently constituted by select individuals representing organizations that have currently or in the past have piloted, supported or deployed DTPR and is led by Charles Finley, DTPR Governance Lead. Read more about DTPR’s current governance approach here.
DTPR will continue to evolve, as it must, in a rapidly changing technology and urban landscape. As part of that we will continue to lead its governance along the principles of transparency and public engagement.
We are also always looking for new collaborators — from DTPR adoption opportunities and implementers, to funders and service providers — to help us test, improve, and advance adoption of this global open source standard. You can access our updated resources in the DTPR GitHub Repository, consult the Guide to the Digital Trust for Places and Routines (DTPR) Standard, and join the DTPR Slack channel. Feel free to also contact the team at Helpful Places directly via email at dtpr@helpfulplaces.com.
In early 2025, we will also be posting an update on all the exciting new adoptions of DTPR around the globe over the past year, the recognition and awards the standard has received, and some plans for the future!
“I am thrilled to be a part of the DTPR initiative where innovation meets community empowerment and inclusiveness through full transparency…on a global scale.”
— Mike Melinyshyn, CFO, Director of Corporate Services & Innovation and Deputy Treasurer at the Town of Innisfil, Ontario, Canada
“I want people to know what technology is embedded in a place, what data is being collected and how that information is being used. DTPR provides a way to communicate this so everyone can understand. I’m excited to be part of the DTPR Community of Practice Council to increase adoption of the standard across the globe and improve transparency around technology in public spaces.”
— Joanna Kraatz, Senior Manager, Smart Places Programs at Transport for New South Wales, Australia
“Technology in any smart physical space should benefit its occupants. I’m a proud champion of DTPR as an accessible, open standard to democratise the benefits of smart spaces by informing and empowering the people they serve!”— Jeffrey Dungen, Co-Founder and CEO, reelyActive
“I’m absolutely enthusiastic about taking part in the work of the DTPR CoPC because I’m convinced that this standard will become the norm. Transparency and communication have always been at the heart of city management. But the development of data-driven tools is making it harder for citizens to understand. Transparency in data and technology has become a critical democratic requirement!”— Jacques Priol, Président / CEO CIVITEO, Président de l’Observatoire Data Publica
“Technology for the public good requires building trust with our communities. I’m excited to work with DTPR on building trust through open and standardized communication.”— Albert Gehami, City Privacy Officer at the City of San José, California, United States of America
