Harlem, NY – February 18, 2025
The Center for Smart Streetscapes (CS3) hosted the first of three Cultural AR Co-Design Workshops at the Columbia Engineering Innovation Hub, bringing together faculty, students, and community members to explore innovative technological solutions for pressing urban challenges. Facilitated by Brian Smith, Assistant Professor of Computer Science, and Lisa Maria DiSalvo Garcia, PhD Student, the event set the stage for an engaging discussion on how augmented reality (AR) can be leveraged to enhance public awareness and civic engagement.
Fostering Collaboration and Innovation
The evening began with a warm welcome as attendees signed in, received name tags, and engaged in informal conversations over dinner. The CS3 facilitators introduced themselves and outlined the workshop’s objectives—centering on the intersection of artificial intelligence, sensing technologies, and community-driven innovation. The goal was clear: to identify key challenges within Harlem and brainstorm technology-driven solutions.
Identifying Community Needs
Through guided discussions, participants shared insights on the most pressing issues affecting Harlem residents. Key concerns included:
- Public Awareness & Access to Information – Challenges in finding local services, events, and city resources.
- Environmental & Sanitation Issues – Inefficiencies in trash collection, rodent infestations, and the need for equitable disposal solutions.
- Community & Public Spaces – The lack of accessible third spaces and the upkeep of community gardens.
- Cultural Preservation – Addressing gentrification, preserving Harlem’s rich history, and fostering neighborhood identity.
Participants split into smaller groups to explore these topics in depth, leading to a deeper understanding of community needs and priorities.
Interactive Engagement and Problem-Solving
To make the session more dynamic, facilitators organized interactive activities:
- Group Brainstorming – Small pods categorized challenges into problems, priorities, and needs.
- Voting Exercise – Participants rated issues like affordable housing, education, and racial bias, with preserving history receiving the highest priority.
- Sticky Note Clustering – Attendees wrote down solutions and grouped them into key themes, sparking discussions on innovative interventions.
One notable takeaway from the discussions was the importance of public awareness and education in addressing many of these issues. From improving digital platforms to integrating AR for real-time data access, technology emerged as a vital tool for empowering residents.
Looking Ahead
As the workshop concluded, facilitators collected participant feedback through surveys and outlined next steps. The following session will delve deeper into solution ideation, beginning with a review of the clustered themes from the sticky note exercise.
The enthusiasm among participants was palpable, with many staying behind to continue conversations and exchange ideas. The CS3 team looks forward to building on this momentum, working hand in hand with Harlem residents to shape a smarter, more connected urban future.
Stay tuned for updates on the next workshop, where these ideas will take shape into actionable prototypes!