Empty properties project aims to document changing face of Cardiff

An experimental new web start-up aims to locate empty spaces in Cardiff and how explore how they impact communities
why is that empty
The Why Is That Empty? website launched online Photograph: Lyle Brennan

An experimental project documenting all the empty spaces in Cardiff has launched online.

Why Is That Empty? is a new website which plans to collect data on all the empty commercial premises in the south Wales region.

A team of nearly 20 Cardiff residents and journalists are behind the start-up – which intends to paint a comprehensive picture of the number and distribution of empty spaces in and around the city.

why is that empty The group behind Why Is That Empty discuss the launch of the site Photograph: Hannah Waldram/guardian.co.uk

The group plans to first populate the site with photos and details of premises are empty – layering on information to do with history and the story behind the premises at a later date. All the data will be presented on a map.

Last July we revealed there were more than 1,000 empty commercial properties in the city – and more than 7,000 domestic sites empty – read our earlier post here.

"The city is changing, and this is a way of finding out what that means to the people who live here," said group member Glyn Mottershead.

"Initially, this is more of a database and then, as we gather information, we'll add layers of context on top of that.

"It's ambitious. Keeping updates and changes is quite a job, but I want to draw as clear a picture as we can to see what's happening around us and then maybe talk to policy makers and community groups about how and what, if anything, should be done."

Members of the group behind Why is That Empty? explain the idea behind the new website

The group behind the project is made up of bloggers, students and those interested in planning and development in Cardiff and how it impacts on communities.

But the project also invites contributions and collaborations with interested parties – who can join the Flickr group here. ThinkARK, who ran a social design project in an empty shop in Castle Arcade may also be involved in the project.

Check out Why Is That Empty? here. What do you think about Why Is That Empty? Leave your comment below.

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Feb 2011