Shape: Revolutionizing Community Development through Collaboration

Creating Sustainable Infrastructure for Future Communities

Under the system of Shape, the focus extends beyond financial involvement. It provides a platform for individual users to collaborate, create, and shape their communities. By leveraging big data analysis, Shape breaks down the barriers of traditional construction plan development. This not only benefits the local residents but also eases the burden on city construction departments and stimulates related businesses, such as the supplies market and population employment.

Shape utilizes collaborative innovation as its main technique, incorporating elements of sharing economics, big data analysis, and virtual community establishment. It functions as a cell phone application based on the Android and iOS systems, with a web version also available.

The interaction with Shape begins by establishing a group based on existing projects and reaching a minimum number of participants. Users can inform others through live streaming. Once the requirement is met, the system provides several possible construction plans for users to vote on based on their preferences. Members can discuss the plans in a dedicated chat room, and administrators can leave key comments for the system to generate. The system then presents a final construction plan and lists a possible punch list based on a similar project. Users can choose a professional coordinator to help implement the remaining steps, such as beginning construction and communicating with the city department. The system also offers qualified laborers and allows users to donate time, labor, funds, or materials. After the project is completed, each participant receives a corresponding award or identity based on their contribution.

The Shape project was completed over a 14-week period from September 2018 to December 2018 in Pasadena, Los Angeles. Extensive research was conducted, including user interviews, market analysis, and the development of both digital and physical products on a local and global scale. The goal was to bridge the gap between the decisions made by local city departments and the desires of the residents, ultimately aiming for sustainable development in city infrastructure.

One of the major challenges faced during the design process of Shape was establishing a simple infrastructure system that satisfies the local city department, residents, and other stakeholders. Additionally, the project aimed to connect and encourage individuals with varying levels of expertise to participate in community-built projects.

Shape has been recognized for its innovative approach and has been awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Mobile Technologies, Applications, and Software Design category in 2019. This prestigious award is bestowed upon outstanding designs that demonstrate creativity, resourcefulness, and technical excellence. Shape exemplifies the integration of art, science, design, and technology, contributing to improvements in quality of life and making the world a better place.