The promise and potential of community engagement : technical mediation within the regeneration paradigm

Joshi, S

Abstract

This thesis aims at developing new theoretical and practical insights for improving
the design and application of information and communication technologies,
within the context of community regeneration. It draws on two case studies
that demonstrate the disconnect that exists between tools and their context. In
particular, the research question of the thesis is: what roles do information and
communication technologies (ICTs) play in mediating and facilitating community
engagement within the context of regeneration and participatory planning?
I take as a starting point - an analysis of the anticipations regarding the
emancipatory/ transformative powers of technology, and then proceed to situate
the tensions and dynamics that exist between the rhetoric and the resistance
met in practice, within a larger frame of community centred regeneration.
Finally, I analyse how community-technology interfaces hold the potential of
creating a more inclusive and democratic decision-making process, provided a
strong emphasis is placed both on the social as well as the technical mediums
of integration. The three key research objectives that emerge from this thesis
are:
To critically interrogate the discourse of social inclusion within the context
of community-technology engagement;
To evaluate the case context with regard to the extent 'end users' are
involved in technical design and local planning processes;
And finally to arrive at a better understanding of what value can be added
to the community regeneration paradigm through more socially contingent
technical interfaces.
I employ the theoretical framework of Activity theory to analyse my research

Citation

Joshi, S. The promise and potential of community engagement : technical mediation within the regeneration paradigm. (Thesis). Salford : University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Oct 3, 2012
• Award Date: Jan 1, 2005