Cities are where people and ideas bump into one another and innovate. That’s why the results of a new survey about the impact of tech on community might cause concern. Many people report that tech has a positive impact on their lives, but nearly 40 percent of Americans believe tech is eroding their ability to interact and connect with neighbors.
We’re all experts on our own communities, say the developers of Action Path, an app that lets people provide feedback on projects being considered in neighborhoods and cities. Developed at the MIT Media Lab, it’ll roll out in New Haven, CT, this fall, part of a partnership with SeeClickFix.
Action Path was recently used to help a diverse community recreate a park with online and offline engagement. Votes are tallied on a public dashboard and smartphones send updates when developments arise. There are about two dozen innovative ideasunderway right now to extend services within libraries, which have long been the #1 place in America where people fill out job applications.
In Denver, Anythink is bringing digital studios, 3D printers, and photo labs to libraries. The Miami-Dade Public Library provides coworking space for entrepreneurs and freelancers (there are similar spaces in Brooklyn and Washington, D.C.).
Public spaces are a critical part of a city. They’re where people can be social, exchange ideas, and provide services. Civic tech is a relatively young industry forecast to grow 14 times faster than IT investments made by local and state government. And it’s already demonstrated that tech can bring people together.
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