The Digital CityCommunication and Community in the Digital Age

Paul Leader-Williams Y4 Unit 22

As our use of technology increases, worries are increasing about the effect that overuse of this technology might have on us. The lure of constant connectedness and the apparent ease of communication can be hard to resist for many, often at the expense of face-to-face interaction with close friends.

“TechnoStress: A modern disease of adaption caused by an inability to cope with the new computer technologies

in a healthy manner. It manifest istself in two distinct and related ways; in the struggle to accept computer technology, and in the more specialised form of overidentification with computer technology”

- Craig Brod (1984)

“The web is assuming the role of the collective of humanity, in the very specific sense of a storehouse of memories, histories and factual knowledge; soon all of our ‘knowing’ will be in reference to it, rather than to a particular individual, school, or culture”

- Mark Pesce (1998)

01 LIFE SUPPORT

Pedal powered computers could provide exercise while reducing carbon consumption.Source: http://www.medicalbillingandcoding.org/sitting-kills/

Articulated chair adjusts to vary working positions.

Profile of ideal ‘multipurpose chair’, Fitting the Task to the Human. Back angle adjusted according to University of Alberta Hospital research.

01 Ergonomics

Viewing and working distances/angles according to The Measure of Man.

Lightweight wooden frame with recycled fabric or webbing seat, similar to the Danko Atmos.

01 Details

Adjustable chair allows working in both sitting and standing positions.

02 ACCIDENT PREVENTION

Capacitive material attatched to cutlery ensures that touchscreen display instructions in correct locations.

Use of smartphones and tablet computers has become ubiquitous. They are used all over the house, in the kitchen, bathroom, living room and bedroom. With our increased reliance and investment on these technolo-gies, we have much more to lose if our gadgets are damaged, and our connections cut, with many reporting anxiety and loneliness if disconnected, even for a short time. I propose a series of devices for around the home. Using technology to solve arguments at the dinner table, make plans for later, or to look up recipes in the kitchen is common. A cutlery set with conductive tips can double as a stylus, protecting technology from wet, dirty or greasy fingers.

Digital touchscreen worktop can provide nutrition information and recipes, without being vulnerable to spills.

03 READJUSTMENTAn augmented reality viewing device that projects updates and data from various social networking sites, using GPS and facial recognition software to locate and identify people and places of interest. Adjusting the real world to fit with the TechnoAddict’s digital experience could help them to adapt to unfamiliar nondigital social interaction.

The glasses incorporate cameras that track eye movement, and display information appropriately using individual transparent OLED screens for each eye to provide a sense of depth.

04 SOCIAL INTERACTIONTechnoAddicts suffer from a lack of social interaction that is not assisted by technology, and often from feelings of anxiety and loneliness as soon as the technological connection is severed. Studies have shown that “the spread of emotions seems to require face to face interaction”, providing lasting satisfaction rather than the instant gratification of online social networking.

By providing a space where ‘addicts’ can relate face to face, without intially sacrificing their connection to the web, they can feel the value of real face to face interaction.

The reuse of a shipping container creates a deployable architecture that can travel from community to community.

04 Features

Solar panels provide power for computer equipment. Server equipment can provide space heating.Satellite broadband.Equipped with desks and network ports for LAN gaming.

05 DIGITAL LITERACY

‘Digital natives’ who have grown up with digital technology have been shown to have better spatial awareness and memory, and would, for example, be able to understand the layout of a maze more quickly than a digital immigrant, who has grown up without digital technology.

‘Digital natives’ generally also have a different level of ‘representstional competence, to ‘digital immigrants’. They are more likely to understand flat images as 3D space. By staging a video call from a digital ative in a maze to a digital immigrant in front of a backdrop of a maze, their differing understandings can be distorted.

A space for face to face interaction allows ‘digital natives’ and ‘digital immigrants’ to interact face to face. Understand ing the illusionary nature of the video communication they have just had allows them to reflect on their understanding of communication and differing world views.

05 LearningBy providing a space where ‘digital natives’ can relate to ‘digital immigrants’, skills and ideas can be shared, while both generations can begin to understand the benefits and disadvantages of their different lifestyles.

06 DIGITAL LIBRARYWith increases in home broadband, and the access that it provides to books, information, and entertainment, many libraries in the UK are under threat of closure. Meanwhile ‘MMORPG’s (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games), are extremely popular, with LAN (Local Area Network) gaming centres and internet cafes allowing people to get together and play computer games. I propose merging the two, by bringing digital technology into the heart of the library, encouraging more custom, and instigating the mixing of old and young, of digital native and digital immigrants.

Libraries currently under the threat of closure.A typical LAN gaming centre.

The design introduces a faceted plywood shell into the libraries bookstacks, creating digital retreats within the library.

06 Details

Bookstacks could be sponsored by technology compnies, ensuring survival of the threatened libraries.

06 Details

07 SKYPEBOXWith the advent of mobile phones, telephone boxes are rapidly becoming obsolete and unused. Reanimating them using digital technology can provide these listed structures with a new use. Adopted and sponsored by Skype, outwards facing cameras are installed in the boxes, so that when a skype call is made to another phone box, the surroundings of that box can be projected onto screens over the windows of the first box. Sharing your surroundings increases the sense of copresence and relation in a conversation.

08 COSY PARAMETRICS

Digital Technology and the Rural CommunityFordwich, Kent

Brief  

Programme

 A  Digital  Community  Centre,  providing  improved  &  augmented  public  space  for  Fordwich,  as  well  as  a  digital  hub  for  local  rural  communities.  Providing  digital  connectivity  and  learning  to  elderly  people  and  rural  communities,  as  well  as  a  technology  library,  allowing  people  to  borrow  computers  and  other  technology  for  use  in  their  own  homes.  The  technology  library  will  also  incorporate  a  workshop  for  building  and  maintaining  computers.  

Alongside  the  digital  community  centre,  new  housing  will  provide  a  model  for  digital  living  in  rural  areas.  Currently,  the  incidence  of  rural  home  working  is  as  much  as  three  times  greater  than  for  urban  areas.   Site  Fordwich,  Kent,  UK             51°17'45"  N,  01°07'31"  E

Fordwich   is   the   smallest   town   in   Britain,   its   status   as   a   town   a   memory   of   its   historical  importance.  Situated  on  the  River  Stour,  Fordwich  was  once  the  main  port  for  Canterbury,  then   an   important   city   home   to   the   Archbishop   of   Canterbury,   head   of   the   church   in  England.   In   1830   the   Canterbury   Whitstable   Railway   was   opened,   ending   Fordwich’s  importance  as  a  port.  Since  then  the  River  Stour  has  silted  up,  and  now  only  small  pleasure  boats  reach  Fordwich.

In  1885  the  town  lost   its  corporate  status,  ending  at   least  600  years  of  self-­‐rule.  Since  that  time   the   community   has   been   in   gradual   decline,   the   town   hall   is   rarely   used,   the   village  school   and   shops   have   closed   down,   the   historic   church  was   closed   in   1996,   and   the   last  working  farm  buildings  were  converted  to  houses  in  2002.

The  site  is  on  the  northern  edge  of  the  town,  directly  across  the  river  from  the  old  town  hall  and  quayside.  The  site   is  split  by  a  small  stream,  and  partially  occupied  by  a  boathouse,  of  concrete   post   and   panel   construction,   unused   for   at   least   15   years.   The   site   is  within   the  Fordwich  Conservation  Area.

Community

Kent  has  30  (65%)  of  the  46  most  deprived  rural  areas  in  the  South-­‐East,  one  of  these  areas,  Sturry   CP,   borders   Fordwich   to   the   north,   and   consists   of   the   village   of   Sturry,   and   the  former  coal-­‐mining  village  of  Hersden.   While  the  Sturry  telephone  exchange  provides  good  broadband  speeds  much  of  rural  Kent  does   not   have   broadband,   or   has   very   low   speeds.  Many   of   the  worst   affected   areas   are  along   the   A28,   which   runs   from   Canterbury,   between   Fordwich   and   Sturry,   to   the   Isle   of  Thanet. In  Canterbury  and  Thanet  18.3%  and  21.2%  of  the  population  are  65+  compared  to  16.6%  in  the  UK  as  a  whole. Funding  

Rural  Development  Programme  for  England  provides  grants  under  the  LEADER  (Liason  Entre  Actions  de  Developpement  de  l’Economie  Rural)  programme,  and  funded  by  DEFRA,  the  Department  for  Environment,  Food  and  Rural  Affairs.  The  grants  are  provided  for  projects  

that  aim  to  improve  quality  of  life  and  economic  prosperity  in  rural  areas.  Fordwich  falls  within  the  Kent  Downs  and  Marshes  LEADER  Area.  

Kent  Rural  Board  -­‐  Action  for  Communities  in  Rural  Kent  

 

Agenda  

Matters  to  be  addressed  

• Digital  illiteracy,  particularly  among  elderly  people  and  in  deprived  rural  areas.  

• Lack  of  digital  connectivity  in  rural  areas.  

• Decline  of  rural  communities  with  the  advent  of  new  technologies.  

• Incorporation  of  digital  technologies  in  sensitive  historic  and  rural  areas.  

Intentions  of  the  Project  

• To  use  new  digital  technologies  to  revitalise  rural  communities.  

• To  provide  a  new  model  for  digital  living  in  rural  areas.  

• To  provide  education  in  computer  skills  for  those  in  rural  areas.  

Motivations  of  the  Project    Improved  access  to  personal  transport  since  the  1950s  has  led  to  the  closure  of  many  rural  services,   leading   to   serious   deprivation   among   those   not   able   to   afford   cars.   With   the  current   increase   in   oil   prices   and   concerns   about   global   warming   this   model   seems  increasingly  unsustainable.    Internet  use  and  the  demand  for  acceptable  bandwidth  continues  to  increase  in  rural  areas  faster   than   in   urban   areas.  Much   of   the   demand   in   rural   areas   is   driven   by   the   need   for  online   shopping,   banking   and   communication.   Approximately   three-­‐quarters   of   rural  internet  users  say  they  use  the  internet  for  transactions;  this  is  higher  than  the  UK  average  of  69%.      Those   in  rural  areas  are  also  more   likely   to  watch   films  or   television  online,  because  other  forms   of   entertainment   such   as   live   music,   theatre   and   cinema   are   not   as   accessible   or  available.    

Digital  Community  Centre Technology  Library Interactive  Public  Space HousingProgramme Providing  community  space  for  the  residents  of  

Fordwich  and  Sturry,  as  well  as  digital  facilities  and  education.  It  will  allow  residents  to  come  together  and  help  each  other  learn  to  use  new  technologies,  as  well  as  providing  space  for  occasional  formal  teaching  or  community  events.

A  library  that  provides  lending  facilities  for  those  without  access  to  digital  technologies  such  as  laptops  or  tablet  computers,  as  well  as  providing  desktop  computers  and  digital  resources  for  use  on  site.  A  mobile  technology  library  tours  the  more  remote  villages,  providing  the  same  service  to  those  unable  to  leave  their  homes.

Providing  a  new  public  space  for  Fordwich.  Currently  there  is  no  real  public  space  in  the  town  for  events.  The  space  canl  connect  to  the  town  and  town  hall  via  a  new  footbridge  and  could  provide  interactive  information  and  entertainment,  for  instance  outdoor  film  screenings,  via  a  media  facade.

7  x  Two  and  three  bedroom  houses,  incorporating  digital  home  workspaces  as  a  new  model  for  rural  living.

Users Around  6500  residents  in  Fordwich  and  Sturry,  often  it  is  the  eldest  and  youngest  members  of  society  who  have  most  interest  in  a  community  centre.

In  2011,  23%  of  UK  households  had  no  access  to  the  internet,  this  would  be  around  2,500  people  in  the  parishes  directly  surrounding  Fordwich,  or  up  to  around  11,000  including  the  city  of  Canterbury.  These  people  are  generally  elderly  and  unable  to  use  digital  technology,  but  there  are  also  those  who  cannot  afford  the  technology  at  home.  

Day  to  day  use  by  the  351  residents  of  Fordwich,  as  well  as  tourists  and  those  visiting  the  pubs.  More  from  the  local  area  during  particular  events  or  ceremonies  that  take  place  throughout  the  year  in  Fordwich.

Young  people  brought  up  in  rural  areas  are  increasingly  forced  to  move  away  due  to  high  property  prices  and  a  lack  of  jobs.  Increased  provision  of  affordable  housing,  and  use  of  digital  technologies  to  increase  access  to  jobs  could  encourage  younger  people  to  stay,  revitalising  ageing  rural  communities.

Area 500  sq.m 500  sq.m 400  sq.m 700  sq.mEnvironmental  Requirements Community  centre  will  require  increased  

power  supplies  and  ventilation  to  deal  with  larger  amounts  of  electronic  equipment.  Sustainable  development  through  use  of  renewable  energy  and  passive  solar/thermal  strategies.

Lighting  -­‐  diffuse  natural  light  to  allow  screens  to  be  used.  No  glare  or  bright  spots.Temperature  -­‐  heat  output  from  computer  equipment  can  be  substantial  and  could  be  used  to  heat  the  space  during  winter,  good  ventilation  is  necessary  in  summer.

Sheltered  space  with  low  levels  of  shading,  to  maximise  use  of  the  space  throughout  the  year.  Views  to  historic  town/river  need  to  be  maintained.

Houses  will  require  increased  power  supplies  and  ventilation  to  deal  with  larger  amounts  of  electronic  equipment.  Sustainable  development  through  use  of  renewable  energy  and  passive  solar/thermal  strategies.

Technical  Requirements/Ancillary  Spaces

Meeting  Rooms Mobile  LibraryWorkshopStorageAdministration  Office

Requires  seating  for  general  use,  possibly  temporary/adaptable  for  the  different  events  that  take  place  throughout  the  year.

Shared  Facilities Data  Centre/Server  RoomRenewable  Energy  Source

ToiletsKitchen?

The Greater Stour c.1500 AD

The Greater Stour 2012 AD

Current Facilities

Converted Farm Buildings

Unused/Obsolete Facilities

Waterways

Paths/Unpaved Roads

Roads

Empty/Unused Sites

Interactive Event Space

Computer Rooms

Flexible Community Space

Offices

Servers

Power Station

Mobile Library

Workshop

Storage

Services

Entrance