A mobile spatial messaging service for a grassroots environmental network

Abstract

Information and communication technology are potentially significant tools in strengthening local initiatives towards sustainability. The Science and Technology (S&T) Framework for Sustainable Development provides a context for such development. This article describes a study aimed at examining how the existing mobile technologies of standard messaging service and wireless application protocol can be used to support the activities of an environmental grassroots organisation -London 21 Sustainability Network (henceforth London 21). Following the S&T Framework, it is clear that to realise the potential of these technologies a new mobile service should be effectively embedded into the structure and activity of the network. Using a participatory research approach, an extensive user requirements study with 273 participants was carried out to ensure that the development of the mobile service for London 21 fulfils the purposes, goals and expectations of the organisation.This article describes a Mobile Spatial Messaging Service, called EcoTEXT, which was developed and deployed for London 21. This service allows individuals to receive geographically targeted, action-orientated, time-relevant information via text messages on their mobile phones. The content of the service is information about upcoming local environmental events and activities, which match the interest of the user, when these events occur in close spatial proximity to where that user resides. This type of service represents a powerful new dimension for the provision of data-driven services in comparison to current textbased services. Location is giving the service additional meaning and value. The introduction of such a service into the organisation's communication toolkit offers the potential to create, supplement and strengthen social ties and interactions within the community.

This Changes Sustainable HCI

“…To generate critical mass, this would mean harnessing the potential of ICT as a communication medium to be deployed both at scale and by local groups organizing on the ground; as well as helping heighten the visibility and effectiveness of activism that is already occurring (cf. [1,9,15,28,30,31,48,77,87,108], arguing for developing systems to support activism). But it also means giving people the tools for responding to the crisis in meaningful ways, in contrast to taking actions such as emailing a congressperson, posting commentary on social media, or signing an e-petition [46, p. 296]-that is, developing a vision of technology's role in fostering invigorated, engaged and effective democracies (cf.…”

Digital technology and the conservation of nature

“…The Extreme Citizen Science Group 33 has developed participatory mapping technologies which allowed Mbendjele hunter-gatherers in the Congo basin to map activities of commercial poachers (Lewis 2012 ; Stevens et al 2013 ; cf. Rahemtulla et al 2008 and Mapping for Rights 34 ).…”

Investigating the role of ICT intervention in grassroots innovation using structural equation modelling approach

“…Until now, a number of GRIs have been commercialized or been successfully scaled up in developing countries [5]. There are few cases where GRIs were transformed into entrepreneurial activities by increasing their product value to match market demand and by increasing market interaction to facilitate better commericialization [21]. The design drivers of GRI include market driven local necessity, effective use of available local resources and long term social sustainability as crucial to entrepreneurship development and essential for successful scaling up of GRI [22,23].…”