Could this ‘Tinder for cities’ change the way your hometown is designed?
Could this ‘Tinder for cities’ change the way your hometown is designed?
Tech is making urban planning inclusive
In the modern dating world, the concept of ‘swiping right’ to someone you find attractive is old news.
But imagine if the swiping of yes or no on your smart phone could extend to city planning? This is a reality in California, where city authorities are trying to gauge public opinion by using an app called CitySwipe.
The app, which was modelled on the successful Tinder format, is enabling Santa Monica residents to swipe to indicate approval or disapproval on everything from parking, murals, street furniture and market stalls for a forthcoming downtown development plan.
The way it works is straightforward. Users are presented with a photo of some street art, or park furniture, together with a caption “Do you want more of this?” The direction of the swipe indicates approval or disapproval.
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While this may sound superficial, as the Guardian writes, the app makes the public consultation process effortless, and far more enjoyable than the alternative – filling out lengthy feedback forms or agreeing to speak to a council worker with a clipboard.
With numerous digital applications coming into the fore with the aim of making our lives ‘smarter’, this is one tech tool that will enable developers and city planners to work with transparency and efficiency.
Collating feedback in such a digitized manner has it’s critics, however. Largely, that data is only being collected from an affluent, tech savvy demographic.
Let us know what you think! Would you like to see CitySwipe used in your city in Asia?
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Source: Property Report