Urban Observatory

API

Largest public real-time urban data set in the UK

Overview

The Urban Observatory API offers RESTful endpoints to access the UK’s largest public real-time urban data set, including traffic flow, air quality, energy consumption, and public transport metrics. Responses are in JSON format, enabling integration into smart city apps, urban planning tools, academic research, and citizen-facing solutions (e.g., air quality alerts). Endpoints support filtering by location, data type, and time range, allowing targeted insights for UK cities. No authentication is required for public access, simplifying prototyping and integration.

Example Integration (JavaScript)

script.js JS


fetch('https://urbanobservatory.ac.uk')
  .then(res => res.json())
  .then(data => console.log(data))
  .catch(err => console.error(err));

Key Features

RESTful API
JSON response format
Real-time urban data
No authentication required
Location and data type filtering
Multiple metrics (traffic, air quality, energy, transport)

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is the Urban Observatory API free to use?

Yes, the API provides free public access to its real-time urban data set without any cost.

? Does the API require an API key?

No, authentication is not needed for accessing the public data endpoints of the Urban Observatory API.

? What types of urban data are available?

The API offers metrics like traffic flow, air quality, energy consumption, and public transport status across cities in the UK.

Top Alternatives

OpenStreetMap API Search Google

UK National Data Service (Urban Data Section) Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Free

Category Open Data

Platform Public API

Pros

⊕ Largest public real-time urban dataset in the UK
⊕ Easy integration with RESTful endpoints
⊕ Free public access (no auth needed)
⊕ Diverse metrics covering urban domains
⊕ Real-time data updates

Cons

⊖ UK-only coverage
⊖ Potential rate limits for high-volume use
⊖ Limited historical data for some metrics