LIFE SITUATION TYPOLOGIES AS BASIS FOR PARTICIPATORY DIGITAL NEIGHBORHOOD PLATFORM DEVELOPMENT

The neighborhood people live in as well as the existence of neighborhood networks can have a crucial impact on their quality of life. These neighborhood networks can be complemented and strengthened by digital neighborhood platforms, which additionally can enable people with mobility limitations to participate in social life and live self-determinedly. Therefore, the trans-disciplinary research project “QuartiersNETZ” (“Neighborhood NET”) aims to develop networks and digital platforms in four urban neighborhoods in the Ruhr area in Germany. User participation in technology development processes has become more important. However, these involved users are often not representative of the heterogeneous potential user groups so that the actual circumstances and requirements are not met. To overcome this problem the project has explored different life situation types. On the basis of a representative survey within the case study neighborhoods with a random sample of in total 4,000 residents aged 50 years and older (response rate 29.7%, N=1,186) a hierarchical cluster analysis was conducted. Eight life situation types were identified based on the following characteristics: socioeconomic status, health, social relationships and housing conditions. In a next step, local actors selected three to four representatives for each cluster who were willing to participate in the digital platform development process. Qualitative interviews were performed in order to get to know their challenges and thus generate authentic requirements. Furthermore, the participants are involved in the iterative platform evaluation process. The significant differences between the life situation types with respective specific demands emphasize that current technology development approaches need modification.