Citizenscape reaches out to South Bristol Residents
Bristol Citizenscape is an EU funded project which explores ways which new web technologies can help local citizens.
Bristol Citizenscape is an EU funded project which explores ways which new web technologies can help local citizens get more involved with local decision making and bring together points of view from both sides of the conversation, from residents and the City council, to address local concerns.
The website www.askbristol.com can enable residents to use ‘Web 2.0’ technologies, such as e-petitions and discussion forums to have their say and stimulate action to address local issues. Topics include reducing traffic noise pollution and active travel.
South Bristol Digital Neighbourhoods is now encouraging residents in the South Bristol area to take advantage of the online resource to address their concerns about their own living environment.
Outreach and training work have begun. So far introductions to e-democracy tools and training has been provided to over 80 people across South Bristol both in regular sessions at Knowle West Media Centre and the Withywood Centre, and mobile workshops working with groups such as Hartcliffe & Withywood Community Partnership and Community In Partnership (Knowle West), Active Travel group and South Bristol Drop-in Centre.
Connectivity is a key issue in the field. One way this is being tackled is by looking at other options to engage that do not require a computer with Internet. For Noise Action Week (Commencing May 18th) SBDN worked with Estates Media who run a touch screen at Broadwalk Shopping Centre. This allowed local shoppers to engage with the interactive Noise Map from the Ask Bristol website on the touch screen in the mall. This was very successful, and increased use of the map from previous stats by 50%.