Abstract Summary
Contemporary urban planning has shifted towards profit-generation objectives, neglecting the fundamental needs of local communities. This transition has led to social exclusion and distrust among urban populations. This paradigm calls for a reevaluation of urban planning methodologies and a reprioritization of community engagement. This research explores the incorporation of digital methodologies to bridge the gap between top-down smart city initiatives and bottom-up community-driven urbanism. Focusing on Kottbusser Tor, Berlin, as a case study, the examination seeks to develop a practical framework for the integration of digital tools into bottom-up, community-generated action in dense urban spaces, particularly oriented towards minority and marginalised communities - those that are the most affected by the commodification of urban environments. Prioritising digital grassroots initiatives, synthesizing existing literature on digital urbanism, examining the shortcomings of smart city models, and the potential of participatory processes, the study proposes a comprehensive framework for self-organized urban planning. Consequently, this raises the question of how can participatory digital tools be harnessed to enable self-organisation in urban planning, while ensuring inclusivity, ethical implementation of data analysis and empowerment of local communities. The study employs a multi-dimensional methodology, incorporating theoretical review, GIS and open spatial data integration, and social analysis. Utilizing spatial GIS data and open-source mapping platforms, the research evaluates the urban dynamics of Kottbusser Tor. Additionally, the study employs functional clustering techniques and surveillance analyses to understand the area's societal dynamics and activation and thus identify suitable intervention locations. The research then formulates a comprehensive participatory digital urbanism framework, through outlining methods to establish an online social hub and a neighbourhood strategy blueprint. It also exemplifies spatial implementations of an interconnected network of temporary activities across the case study area. The study addresses a critical gap in urban planning, by shifting the focus from architects and urban administrators and alternatively, providing a practical framework for community engagement and independent action upon the development of urban environments. It emphasises the potential of urban data harnessing for community empowerment and ethical technological and spatial development in urban planning, providing tools for local communities to self-organise, improve their immediate living conditions and act upon their right to affordable housing. During my research, I have built upon the previous societal work conducted in the area (KottiCoop e.V. (2018). Re-Kommunalisierung Plus | Modellprojekt am Kottbusser Tor. Berlin, Germany: KottiCoop e.V.). I have constructed synthetic populations and models mimicking decision-making patterns derived from the societal context and way-finding in the study area.
