Liminal Data collects, visualizes and mines spatial data to support public policy advocacy and to contribute to the scientific conversation on demographic shrinkage with universities, policy makers, scholars and research centers. Liminal Data employs both quantitative and qualitative data on the urban conditions, socio-economic issues and natural features of small towns in Italy.

Liminal Data operationalizes its action framework in five steps:
1) Data collection
2) Data visualization
3) Data verification
4) Data advocacy
5) Data dissemination.

This operational framework provides Liminal Data with the opportunity to develop innovative data collection tools–often through participatory data collection efforts with local communities–while also rendering the challenges of specific regions through compelling data visualization techniques–such as interactive maps, infographics. By rendering visible, spatializing and verifying both urban and socio-economic dynamics, Liminal Data is well positioned to support advocacy programs and to contribute to the dissemination of data-informed strategies for small towns through both open access platforms and scholarly articles.

At Liminal Data, we believe in the power of data, civic technology and maps to open-up discussions on the future of small town communities, where data is often lacking. For the Liminal team, data is a tool and not a goal. Our data collection and visualization strategy acts as a medium to raise awareness, make data-informed decisions and engage with the scientific community working on small towns.