Community Connector is a comprehensive React Native application designed to strengthen neighborhood communities through digital connectivity. This sample answer demonstrates the complete implementation of a location-based social platform with multiple integrated features for community engagement, safety, and local commerce.
Project Type: Community Social PlatformTarget Audience: Neighborhood residents and community membersPlatform: React Native (iOS & Android)Development Framework: Expo
Multi-tab Navigation : Clean bottom tab navigation with 5 main sectionsLocation Context : Centralized location management and neighborhood detectionReal-time Data Management : Mock data structure supporting dynamic contentResponsive UI : Adaptive design that works across different screen sizes
Home Screen : Community dashboard and quick access to featuresMap Screen : Interactive neighborhood map with location-based contentFeed Screen : Community posts, announcements, and social interactionsSafety Screen : Safety alerts, emergency contacts, and reporting featuresMarket Screen : Local marketplace for buying/selling within the community
Neighborhood boundary definitions with GPS coordinates
Location-based content filtering
Distance calculations for local events and marketplace items
Geofencing capabilities for safety alerts
Multi-category post system (community, events, lost_found, services, issues, business, recreation)
Like and comment functionality
User authentication and profiles
Content moderation features (pinned posts, official announcements)
Tag-based content organization
Multi-level safety alerts (info, warning, caution, danger)
Emergency contact directory with category filtering
Location-based alert system with radius settings
Real-time safety notifications
Item listing with detailed information and images
Category-based organization (furniture, electronics, sports, etc.)
Price negotiation support
Seller profiles and ratings
Availability status tracking
Node.js (version 16 or higher)
npm or yarn package manager
Expo CLI (npm install -g expo-cli)
Expo Go app on your mobile device (for testing)
Navigate to the project directory:
bash
cd "Project 03 Sample Answer"
Install dependencies:
Start the Expo development server:
Run on device/simulator:
iOS: Press i in terminal or scan QR code with Camera appAndroid: Press a in terminal or scan QR code with Expo Go appWeb: Press w in terminal
If you encounter dependency issues, try: npm install --force
For iOS simulator issues, ensure Xcode is properly installed
For Android issues, check that Android Studio and emulator are set up
The app includes 5 sample neighborhoods with realistic data:
javascript
- Downtown Heights (8 ,500 residents, Safety : 4 /5 )
- Riverside Gardens (4 ,200 residents, Safety : 5 /5 )
- Historic District (3 ,800 residents, Safety : 4 /5 )
- University Quarter (12 ,000 residents, Safety : 3 /5 )
- Green Valley (6 ,500 residents, Safety : 5 /5 )
10 diverse community posts covering:
Community events and volunteer opportunities
Lost and found items
Local services and recommendations
Infrastructure issues and resolutions
Business announcements and promotions
5 different alert types demonstrating the safety system:
Construction warnings
Emergency situations (gas leaks)
Security advisories
Utility disruptions
Community events
8 sample marketplace listings across categories:
Furniture, Electronics, Sports equipment
Garden tools, Baby items, Musical instruments
Various price ranges ($35 - $1,200)
Different conditions and negotiation options
React Navigation : Complex navigation patterns with nested navigatorsContext Management : Global state management for location and user dataMock Data Architecture : Realistic data structures for social platformsComponent Organization : Proper separation of screens, contexts, and utilitiesMobile Development Patterns : Location services, notifications, and real-time features
Location-based Services : GPS integration and geofencing conceptsSocial Platform Architecture : User-generated content, feeds, and interactionsData Modeling : Complex relational data structures with foreign keysSecurity Considerations : User authentication and content moderationCommunity Engagement : Features that encourage local interaction
Students can build upon this foundation by adding:
Real Firebase backend integration
Push notifications for safety alerts
Image upload functionality for marketplace items
Real-time chat between community members
Integration with local government APIs
UI Placeholder Screens : Main screens show placeholder content with navigation structureNo Backend Integration : Uses local mock data onlyLimited Interactivity : No actual posting, commenting, or marketplace transactionsNo Authentication : User system is simulated in mock dataStatic Location Data : GPS coordinates are predefined, not dynamic
Screen Implementation : Convert placeholder screens to fully functional interfacesReal-time Features : Add WebSocket connections for live updatesImage Handling : Implement camera integration and image storagePush Notifications : Add real emergency and community notificationsOffline Support : Cache data for offline access
Customize the Tab Bar : Change icons, colors, and add custom stylingAdd New Categories : Create additional post categories and marketplace sectionsModify Mock Data : Add your own neighborhood data and community postsStyle Improvements : Enhance the placeholder screens with better visual design
Implement Home Screen : Create a dashboard showing recent posts and alertsBuild Feed Interface : Display community posts with like/comment functionalityCreate Map Integration : Use React Native Maps to show neighborhood boundariesAdd Search Functionality : Filter posts and marketplace items by keywords
Firebase Integration : Connect to real backend database and authenticationReal Location Services : Implement actual GPS tracking and location detectionPush Notifications : Set up Expo notifications for alerts and messagesImage Upload System : Allow users to attach photos to posts and marketplace items
Admin Dashboard : Create moderation tools for community managersAnalytics System : Track user engagement and community activityIntegration APIs : Connect with local business directories or government servicesAccessibility Features : Add screen reader support and accessibility improvements
graphql
Project 03 Sample Answer/
├── App.js
├── package.json
├── babel.config.js
├── app.json
└── src/
├── contexts/
│ └── LocationContext.js
├── data/
│ └── mockData.js
├── screens/
│ ├── HomeScreen.js
│ ├── MapScreen.js
│ ├── FeedScreen.js
│ ├── SafetyScreen.js
│ └── MarketScreen.js
└── utils/
└── constants.js
Modular Architecture : Separation of concerns with dedicated foldersMock Data Design : Realistic, relational data structuresContext Pattern : Proper state management for shared dataNavigation Structure : Professional app navigation patternsScalable Foundation : Architecture ready for feature expansion
Note for Instructors : This sample answer provides a solid foundation for students to understand community-focused app development. The comprehensive mock data and clear architecture make it easy for students to extend functionality and learn real-world development patterns.