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The meaning of place in supporting sociality

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conference contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 06:15 authored by Ann LightAnn Light, Kate HowlandKate Howland, Tom Hamilton, David Harley
While social isolation in an ageing population is a concern in many locations, it is greater in towns where divisive local geography and declining investment conspire against meeting places and mutual awareness. This research into the design of location-based tools to support sociality asks whether embedded digital tools that make neighbourhood activities and/or people’s movements more visible have the potential to increase serendipitous encounters and deepen a sense of community cohesion. Taking to the streets of a small town to explore if digital tools might improve the situation, we used participatory and provocation methods to inspire engagement with the theme and compare design concepts for sociality. Participants showed great passion for the town and its people, but also caution about publicly revealing even basic information, because of anticipated local consequences. They preferred an indirect approach. We use these insights to analyze “place” and discuss the specifics of designing for sociality in challenging contexts.

Funding

Flexible Dwellings for Extended Living; AHRC; AH/J007153/1

Digital Economy’s Communities and Culture Network+; EPSRC; EP/K003585/1

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

Designing Interactive Systems

Publisher

ACM

Event name

DIS 2017 Designing Interactive Systems

Event location

Edinburgh, UK

Event type

conference

Event date

10-14 June 2017

ISBN

978145034922

Department affiliated with

  • Informatics Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2017-05-11

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2017-05-11

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2017-05-10

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