Tool theory and the urban data medium: Data driven visual tools for urban energy

What is the nature of data driven tools for digitally augmented urban environments? This paper addresses issues related to tool theory for the new breed of tools based on data streams generated by digital systems in urban environments. To get a better understanding of the nature of these tools I propose a viewpoint that brings together three established tool theories that approach the topic from different angles. I argue that the data driven tools in discussion cannot be adequately discussed by any one of these theories but require a combination of the three different theories. An example from my recent practice, based on urban energy systems data, serves to illustrate the conceptual framing of data driven tools at the intersection of the discussed theories. By bringing together the views on tools as `extension of man´, `virtualization of action´, and as `memory of social activity´ I invite designers and developers to investigate the nature of data driven tools afforded by the increasing pervasiveness of networked digital technologies in urban environments.