Blog
1/2/2024
The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly altered our social lives, our daily mobility, and the ways we interact with our environments. Some of the most significant changes include the rise in telework and reduced mobility. Communities and local governments have implemented short and long-term interventions in built environments to provide safe spaces for socializing. Still, these strategies may not have had the hoped-for results, particularly among populations who need them most.
The Ensemble project, led by Marie-Christine Therrien, Professor and Director of the Cité-ID Living Lab, aims to evaluate the impact of the built environment on social cohesion and community resilience in a post-COVID-19 context.
This two-year project will be implemented across six cities: Barcelona, Colombo, Harare, Montréal, Manchester and Ouagadougou. A comparative analysis between the cities will provide a better understanding of these issues. The project will help policy-makers, community organisations, and the general public learn more about the co-production and co-evaluation of urban policies and planning.
Participants will use photovoice to document urban interventions that have enabled them to socialise in their community. The photos will also be used in a concept mapping exercise with the CM* tool developed by Polygon. Our team will develop several features to meet the challenges of the study:
- a module for sorting and evaluating images (i.e. photographs)
- an offline mode to run the exercise without an internet connection
- a module to create paper maps from the platform, without the need for an electronic device
Polygon will also create a visual identity and provide communication tools, including a website and promotional material. We are very excited to be using our CM*, design, and communication tools to help researchers and communities from across these four continents explore how built environments can foster social cohesion and resilience.
Book a quick demo with us to learn more about our concept mapping solution CM*.
Tools & support solutions
Concept Mapping Tool (CM*)
Service Design
Logistics & study management
Visual identity & communication
