This paper explores the wider contexts of digital policy, transparency,
digitisation and how this changes city administration
and the role of the (digital) publics, using City Bug Report
as a design case. Employing a mix between design research
and action research, the authors exemplify and analyse elements
of both the design process, the organisational, the political
and technological contexts. They point to the role of
researchers and designers in exploring and understanding digital
elements of public space as not merely registering structures
but also actively engaging in public discourse, providing
critique and alternatives as much as solutions. Further
research and challenges are discussed.