The Technocommons Initiative
The Technocommons initiative is an investigation into the applicability of advanced information and communication technologies (ICT) to the enhancement of participation and interaction in the public life of a community. Research and design goals will emphasize the development of systems – in prototype form -- that can be viewed as community resources accessible to all -- a “technological commons.”
Communities are the research environments for this initiative. Research problems are developed around specific gaps in ICT-based solutions available for performing critical community functions while seeking more broadly applicable results. This initiative will focus on the following functional domains in which members of the community operate:
- Democratic engagement: democratic participation and collaboration by community members in addressing public issues;
- Exchange of life-critical information: delivery and exchange of emergency and other types of information that are necessary for the health and safety of the community; and,
- Geographic and cultural engagement: public transit, tourism, and artistic activities.
Projects
- Course on Community Informatics & Collaborative Design