Research Challenge: How do hyperlocal community platforms actually work, and what makes some communities thrive while others fail?
Your mission is to become a community technology researcher and designer. Instead of following implementation instructions, you'll investigate real community needs, analyze existing platforms, and discover the principles behind successful neighborhood connections.
Duration: 4-6 weeksFocus: Research, Discovery, Problem-SolvingLearning Through: User Interviews, Competitive Analysis, Community Observation
Through this research-driven project, you will:
Investigate how successful community apps handle location privacy and trustDiscover what makes neighborhoods thrive through direct observation and interviewsAnalyze the economics of local community platforms and marketplacesDesign solutions based on real community problems you identifyPrototype features that address genuine needs you uncoverEvaluate the social impact of community technology on real neighborhoods
🧠 Research-First Approach
This project prioritizes understanding communities over building technology. Your solutions will emerge from genuine insights about how people actually connect with their neighbors, not from predetermined feature lists.
Student Template (Start Here) :
Download the starter template: M1-Template-project-03-community-connector.zip from your course platform
Extract the ZIP file to your working directory
Navigate to the project folder: cd project-03-community-connector
Install dependencies: npm install --legacy-peer-deps
Start the development server: npx expo start
Teacher Reference (Optional) :
The complete implementation is available in M1-TemplateSolution-project-03-community-connector.zip. Review this after attempting your own solution to compare approaches for location privacy, community features, and ethical technology design.
DO NOT DELETE existing template files:
package.json, app.json, or configuration filesPre-built privacy controls and location services
Community feed and moderation components
Any files you didn't create
ONLY MODIFY files as needed to implement community features. The template provides privacy-first foundations-build responsibly on this ethical framework.
Research Question: How do real communities define themselves and connect?
Discovery Challenges:
Neighborhood Boundary Study : Interview 5 neighbors about how they define their community boundaries - do they match official ZIP codes?Privacy Behavior Research : Observe how people actually share location information in daily life (social media, apps, conversations)Community Connection Audit : Document all the ways people in your area currently connect (bulletin boards, social media groups, local businesses)Trust Factor Analysis : Investigate what makes neighbors trust each other enough to share resources or informationProblem Definition Workshop : Identify the top 3 real problems your local community faces that technology might address
Research Question: Why do some community platforms succeed while others fail?
Discovery Challenges:
Competitive Deep Dive : Analyze 3 successful and 2 failed community platforms - what patterns emerge?Local Economy Investigation : Map the actual flow of money, services, and resources in your neighborhoodBusiness Model Breakdown : Research how community platforms actually make money without exploiting usersUser Journey Analysis : Shadow someone using Nextdoor or Ring Neighbors - what works, what frustrates them?Community Health Metrics : Define how you would measure whether a digital community is actually healthy
Research Question: How would you design community technology that actually serves communities?
Discovery Challenges:
Community-Centered Design Workshop : Facilitate a session with neighbors to co-design solutions to problems you identifiedEthical Technology Framework : Develop guidelines for community technology that prioritizes people over profitPrototype Testing : Create low-fidelity prototypes of your top ideas and test them with actual community membersImpact Measurement Plan : Design methods to evaluate whether your solutions actually improve community connectionsScalability Study : Research whether solutions that work in your community could work in different types of neighborhoods
Your investigation should cover:
Community Definition : How do different groups define "neighborhood" and "community"?Trust Mechanisms : What builds and breaks trust between neighbors?Privacy Boundaries : Where do people draw lines about location and personal information sharing?Communication Patterns : How do communities currently share information and coordinate?Economic Flows : How do resources, services, and money move through local communities?
Primary Research : Direct observation and interviews with at least 10 community membersCompetitive Analysis : Deep analysis of 5+ existing community platformsBehavioral Documentation : Record and analyze how people actually use community technologyProblem Validation : Evidence that problems you identify are real and significantSolution Testing : Low-fidelity prototypes tested with real community members
Goal: Understand how real communities function and connect
Research Activities:
Community Observation Study
Map all community connection points in your area (physical and digital)
Document how information flows between neighbors
Record community problems and how they're currently addressed
Privacy and Location Research Project
Investigation Focus: How do apps handle location data and user privacy?
Research Questions to Explore:
How do Nextdoor, Ring Neighbors, and Facebook Groups handle location privacy?
What location data do they actually collect vs. what users think they collect?
How do people make decisions about sharing location with neighbors?
What would make someone comfortable vs. uncomfortable with location sharing?
Research Methods:
Analyze privacy policies of 3-5 community apps
Interview neighbors about their location sharing comfort levels
Test apps to understand actual location data usage
Document findings about privacy expectations vs. reality
Community Needs Assessment
Conduct 10 interviews with different types of community members (families, seniors, renters, homeowners)
Ask about their biggest community challenges and how they currently address them
Document gaps between what communities need and what technology currently provides
Deliverable: Community Investigation Report with privacy analysis and needs assessment
Goal: Understand why some community platforms succeed while others fail
Research Activities:
Competitive Platform Analysis
Investigation Focus: What makes community platforms succeed or fail?
Platforms to Analyze:
Successful: Nextdoor, Ring Neighbors, Facebook Local Groups
Failed: Neighborland, Peach, local community apps
Research Questions:
What features do successful platforms have in common?
How do they handle trust, safety, and moderation?
What business models work without exploiting user data?
Why did unsuccessful platforms fail?
Local Economic Flow Study
Map how money, services, and resources actually move through your neighborhood
Interview local business owners about community engagement
Research peer-to-peer service exchanges (TaskRabbit, neighborhood groups)
Analyze community commerce vs. traditional commerce patterns
Community Health Metrics Research
Investigation Focus: How do you measure if a digital community is healthy?
Research Areas:
What metrics do existing platforms track?
How do community managers evaluate success?
What are signs of thriving vs. struggling communities?
How can technology support community wellness without being intrusive?
Deliverable: Platform Analysis Report with community health framework
Goal: Design community technology that actually serves communities
Research Activities:
Community Co-Design Workshop
Facilitate a session with 8-10 neighbors to co-design solutions
Use findings from previous phases to guide the discussion
Focus on problems identified in Phase 1, solutions learned from Phase 2
Document consensus on priorities and approaches
Ethical Technology Framework Development
Investigation Focus: How can community technology prioritize people over profit?
Framework Areas:
Privacy protection principles
Community ownership models
Sustainable business models
Inclusive design guidelines
Impact measurement methods
Low-Fidelity Prototype Testing
Create paper/digital mockups of your top 3 solution ideas
Test with at least 5 community members
Focus on usability and community fit, not technical implementation
Iterate based on feedback and community input
Deliverable: Community-Centered Solution Design with ethical framework
Ethnographic Observation : Spend time in community spaces observing natural interactionsSemi-Structured Interviews : 30-45 minute conversations with community membersParticipatory Design : Include community members as co-designers, not just usersDigital Archaeology : Analyze existing community platforms and their evolutionEconomic Mapping : Trace actual resource flows through communities
Consent and Privacy : Always get permission and protect participant informationDiverse Perspectives : Include voices from different ages, backgrounds, and community rolesDocument Everything : Keep detailed notes, quotes, and observationsPattern Recognition : Look for themes across multiple data sourcesCommunity Validation : Share findings with community members for feedback
Problem Clustering : Group related community challenges togetherStakeholder Mapping : Identify all the people affected by community issuesSolution Mapping : Connect successful solutions to specific problem typesImpact Assessment : Evaluate potential positive and negative effects of interventionsCommunity Fit Analysis : Assess how well solutions match community culture and values
Depth of Community Understanding : Rich insights into how your local community actually functionsMethodological Rigor : Proper use of research methods with evidence-based conclusionsDiverse Perspectives : Including voices from different community members and stakeholdersProblem Validation : Clear evidence that identified problems are real and significantPattern Recognition : Ability to see themes and connections across different data sources
Platform Evaluation : Thoughtful analysis of why community platforms succeed or failEconomic Understanding : Clear grasp of how community economies and resource flows workPrivacy and Ethics : Sophisticated understanding of technology's impact on communitiesBusiness Model Analysis : Understanding of sustainable approaches to community technologyCommunity Health Metrics : Thoughtful approach to measuring community wellness
Community-Centered Approach : Solutions clearly emerge from community needs, not tech possibilitiesFeasibility Assessment : Realistic evaluation of what solutions could actually workEthical Framework : Clear guidelines for technology that serves communitiesPrototype Quality : Low-fidelity designs that effectively communicate conceptsCommunity Validation : Evidence that community members support proposed solutions
Clear Reporting : Well-organized presentation of research findings and insightsEvidence-Based Arguments : Conclusions supported by data and community inputActionable Recommendations : Practical next steps based on research findingsReflection on Process : Thoughtful analysis of research methodology and learningsCommunity Impact Consideration : Clear thinking about potential effects of proposed solutions
How do people in your community currently connect with neighbors?
What are the biggest barriers to community connection and problem-solving?
How do different groups (age, income, family status) experience community differently?
What community spaces (physical and digital) work well, and why?
How do trust and safety concerns affect community participation?
What features of successful community platforms actually get used vs. ignored?
How do platforms handle conflicts, disagreements, and problematic behavior?
What makes some online communities feel inclusive while others feel exclusive?
How do community platforms balance local focus with broader connectivity?
What role should technology companies play in local community development?
How can community technology be designed to strengthen rather than weaken local connections?
What are the unintended consequences of location-based social platforms?
How can communities maintain ownership and control over their digital spaces?
What business models allow community platforms to be sustainable without being exploitative?
How should community technology handle privacy, data ownership, and surveillance concerns?
Focus: Understanding location services and community boundaries
Screen
Purpose
Learning Objectives
Location Permission Screen Educate users about privacy choices
Learn location privacy levels (precise, approximate, protected)
Neighborhood Selection Research community boundaries
Understand how communities self-define vs. official boundaries
Privacy Settings Dashboard Control personal data sharing
Explore data collection practices and user control
Simple Community Feed Basic local content sharing
Practice content moderation and community guidelines
User Research Interface Conduct neighbor interviews
Develop user research skills and empathy
Focus: What makes communities thrive and local economies work
Screen
Purpose
Learning Objectives
Local Business Map Visualize neighborhood economy
Analyze local business ecosystems and gaps
Sharing Board Simple neighbor-to-neighbor sharing
Understand gift economy and community trust
Service Exchange Platform Non-monetary value trading
Explore alternative economic models (time banks, skill trades)
Trust & Safety Framework Community guideline creation
Design ethical commerce systems
Event Discovery Feed Community gathering tools
Research what brings neighbors together
Focus: Complex community challenges and technical solutions
Screen
Purpose
Learning Objectives
Emergency Response Network Community resilience tools
Study mutual aid and community support systems
Civic Engagement Hub Local government connection
Explore technology's role in democratic participation
Community Health Dashboard Wellness and engagement metrics
Learn to measure and improve community health
AI Moderation Interface Automated community management
Understand AI's role in content moderation
Accessibility Settings Inclusive design controls
Design for diverse community populations
Example: Community Feed Evolution Across Weeks
diff
Simple list of text posts with:
- Post message (text only)
- Basic categories (General, Events, For Sale)
- Timestamp display
- No user profiles or interactions
LEARNING: Understanding moderation needs and content types
diff
Enhanced feed with:
- User profiles and verification badges
- Photo attachments and reactions (like, helpful, concern)
- Comment threads and @ mentions
- Neighborhood-specific filtering
LEARNING: How interactions affect community dynamics
sql
AI- enhanced feed with :
- Personalized content relevance scoring
- Automatic content categorization
- Community health metrics display
- Real - time translation for multilingual communities
LEARNING: Balancing automation with human community values
This progression shows:
Technical complexity increases gradually
Each version builds on lessons learned from previous version
User research informs each iteration's design decisions
Community impact is measured and optimized over time
User Research Quality : Thorough interviews, observation, and competitive analysisCommunity Understanding : Deep insights into local needs, boundaries, and culturePrivacy & Ethics Analysis : Thoughtful exploration of location data and community impactProblem Definition : Clear identification of real community challenges to solveEvidence-Based Design : Features and decisions backed by research findings
Scaffolding Approach : Demonstrates progressive complexity from basic to advancedReflection on Learning : Clear documentation of insights gained at each stageIterative Improvement : Each version builds meaningfully on previous learningTechnical Growth : Shows increasing complexity and sophistication over timeAdaptation Based on Feedback : Incorporates user research into design decisions
Community-Centered Design : Features prioritize community health and connectionInclusive Approach : Considers diverse populations, abilities, and backgroundsTrust & Safety Framework : Thoughtful approach to building community trustEthical Commerce : Balanced approach to community spirit and local economyMeasurable Community Value : Clear metrics for positive community impact
Code Quality : Clean, well-documented, maintainable implementationPrivacy Implementation : Strong privacy controls and transparent data handlingProgressive Features : Technical complexity increases appropriately over timeCreative Solutions : Innovative approaches to community challengesAccessibility : Technical implementation supports diverse user needs
Clear Documentation : Well-organized explanation of research, design, and developmentDesign Rationale : Clear explanation of why features were chosenCommunity Impact Story : Compelling narrative about potential community benefitsTechnical Explanation : Clear communication of how features workFuture Vision : Thoughtful consideration of long-term community impact
Hyperlocal Weather and Alerts : Neighborhood-specific weather and emergency alertsCommunity Resource Sharing : Tool library, car sharing, space rentalsSkill Marketplace : Local tutoring, crafts, professional servicesNeighborhood Analytics : Community health metrics and insights dashboardIntegration with Smart City : IoT sensors, traffic data, public transit
White Label Platform : License to other neighborhoods and citiesGovernment Partnership : Official platform for civic engagementBusiness Directory Premium : Enhanced listings and analytics for local businessesCommunity Insurance : Group purchasing power for residentsProperty Management : Integration with local real estate and property services
Use AI throughout the project for:
Community Guidelines : "Generate community guidelines for a diverse suburban neighborhood"Moderation Rules : "Create content moderation rules that balance free speech with safety"Event Suggestions : "Suggest seasonal community events for a family-oriented neighborhood"Safety Protocols : "Design emergency response protocols for community volunteers"Translation Optimization : "Adapt community announcements for cultural sensitivity"
Expo Location - Privacy-conscious location servicesExpo Location Background - Geofencing and trackingReact Native Maps - Community mapping featuresSocket.io v4 - Real-time community feeds (advanced)Stripe Connect - Community marketplace (optional)
Study successful community apps: Nextdoor, Ring Neighbors, Facebook Local
Analyze their community management, safety features, and engagement strategies
Research local government integration approaches and civic tech platforms
🔍 Exploration Success Tip: The best community platforms come from understanding people first, technology second. Your most valuable insights will come from conversations with neighbors, not from complex code. Start each feature with the question "What do people actually need?" rather than "What's technically possible?"
By completing this exploration journey, you will have:
🏘️ Community Understanding
Conducted primary research with real community members
Analyzed how different communities define themselves and their needs
Understood the balance between community spirit and commercial activity
🔒 Privacy & Ethics Expertise
Explored location privacy from multiple user perspectives
Analyzed ethical implications of community data collection
Designed privacy-first approaches to community technology
📈 Progressive Development Skills
Built features with increasing complexity over time
Learned to scaffold learning from basic concepts to advanced systems
Practiced iterative improvement based on user feedback
🌍 Social Impact Awareness
Measured and considered technology's effect on community health
Designed for inclusive, diverse communities
Created frameworks for ethical technology deployment
This project challenges you to think like a community organizer, user researcher, and ethical technologist-not just a developer. The result will be both technical skills and deep empathy for how technology can genuinely serve communities.
Submit Your Project Here