Haptree : A haptic experience design space

Introductionmeaningful community engagement is increasingly being considered the major determinant of successful research, innovation and intervention uptake. Even though there is available literature recommending community engagement in health research, there are still knowledge gaps in how communities might be best engaged in Sub-Saharan Africa. We, therefore, synthesized the existing literature on the current practices, barriers and facilitators, ethical considerations, and gender mainstreaming in the engagement of communities in research in sub-Saharan Africa.Methodsthis synthesis was developed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). A combination of keywords and medical subject headings was used to search MEDLINE, EMBASE, Global Health Library through OVID SP, the Cochrane Library, PsychINFO, CINAHL, WHO Afro Library, WHO Global Index Medicus and the National Institute for Health Research, for all literature published between 1 January 2000 to 31 July 2021.Resultsthirty articles met our inclusion criteria. The key reported facilitators of effective community engagement in research included appropriate community entry and engagement of stakeholders. Barriers to effective community engagement in research included the availability of prohibitive cultural, historical and religious practices; geographical/spatial limitations, difficulties in planning and executing community engagement activities and communication barriers. Awareness creation and sensitization on the research through drama, social media, documentaries, and community durbars are some of the existing practices adopted in engaging communities in research. Gender mainstreaming was not considered appropriately in the engagement of communities in research, as only a few studies made provisions for gender considerations, and most of the time, interchanging gender for sex. Respect for autonomy, privacy and informed consent were the main ethical issues reported.Conclusiongender mainstreaming and ethical standards were reported as important, but not explored in depth. Gender as a social construct needs to be carefully integrated in the entire research cycle. Clear ethical concerns within a research project have to be co-discussed by the research team, community members and potential research participants.

This study aims at revealing the power of architectural representation through drawing on community engagement and development during the design process. Considering the drawings as a medium for obtaining knowledge and using them as a means of communication, for the generation and development of designs together with the community, the idea behind was to understand if the representation and communication approach can trigger the community participation, engagement and education on understanding and creating their future city. For the accomplishment of this research the mixed methodology was used, quantitative methods with tools such as questionnaires and mental maps, whilst qualitative method employed interviews, empirical studies and observation on the ground. The use of a certain architectural representation as a communication means, that could be attractive and well understood by the community, can encourage public engagement, discussion and generation of ideas, by this ensuring their collaboration during the planning and design process, as active participants and well-informed citizens.

The pandemic brought transformations in daily life and societal structures. It has impacted the design and planning of commercial spaces. Commercial spaces, serving as the direct interface with consumers, have played a more pivotal role recently. Consumer viewpoints and demands have been changed beyond comfort and convenience to mitigate concerns related to sustainable development and health. From the consumer perspective, we explored the key factors for the sustainable design of commercial spaces in the post-pandemic era. Kansei engineering, factor analysis, and the Kano model were used to identify dimensions, namely safety and comfort, community engagement and sustainability, environmental conservation and resource efficiency, as well as technological integration and waste management. Consumers expect commercial spaces to provide safety measures, adequate ventilation, hygiene and cleanliness, green landscapes, personalized services, and social distancing arrangements to create a pleasant and secure environment. Additionally, they are concerned about whether commercial spaces actively engage with the community, promote sustainable development, and prioritize energy efficiency. The result contributes to the optimization and sustainable development of commercial spaces. By comprehending consumer perspectives, companies can overcome the challenges of the post-pandemic era, innovate in the design of commercial spaces, and create business environments that are more appealing and aligned with consumer expectations.

BackgroundThe one health (OH) approach, linking human, animal, and environmental health, relies on effective community engagement (CE), education, stewardship, and effective regional and global partnerships. For real impact, communities should be at the centre of research agenda setting and program implementation. This review aimed at synthesizing empirical evidence on how communities are involved in one health research. Specifically, the review aimed at documenting the extent of community involvement in one health research, as well as to identify the barriers and facilitators to effective community engagement in one health research in sub Saharan Africa.MethodsThe study was a systematic review conducted using the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Empirical peer-reviewed research articles on community engagement in one health research published from January 2000 to September 2023 in English or French were retrieved from seven databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, WHO Afro Library, the National Institute for Health Research, and African Journals Online databases. The extracted data from the included studies were analysed using a thematic synthesis approach.ResultsThe final review and synthesis included eight studies. The extent of CE in the one health research approach is quite limited. Two main best practices of CE in OH research were: 1) Awareness raising on OH research through social mobilization, rural outreach sensitization, and wide community assembly and 2) Building local capacity through community-based OH Training and Leadership workshops. The barriers to effective CE included: inadequate community research literacy levels, contextual disparities in CE, inadequate dissemination of research findings, language barriers and ineffective and uncoordinated stakeholder involvement.ConclusionThe review underscores the importance of effective CE in one health research. The best practices for CE in one health research are raising awareness and co-creation which should guide future initiatives. There are cultural, geographical, linguistic, and educational constraints that pose barriers to CE, requiring a more integrated and community-centric approach to one health research in SSA. An effective CE in one health research through this approach will ultimately lead to more effective responses and control of zoonotic disease outbreaks.

Using end-user visualization environments to mediate conversations: a ‘Communicative Dimensions’ framework

Over the past two decades, scientific research on the connections between the health and resilience of marine ecosystems, and human health, well-being, and community prosperity has expanded and evolved into a distinct "metadiscipline" known as Oceans and Human Health (OHH), recognized by the scientific community as well as policy makers. OHH goals are diverse, and seek to improve public health outcomes, promote sustainable use of aquatic systems and resources, and strengthen community resilience. OHH research has historically included some level of community outreach and partner involvement; however, the increasing disruption of aquatic environments and urgency of public health impacts calls for a more systematic approach to effectively identify and engage with community partners to achieve project goals and outcomes. Herein, we present a strategic framework developed collaboratively by community engagement personnel from the four recently established U.S. Centers for Oceans and Human Health (COHH). This framework supports researchers in defining levels of community engagement and in aligning partners, purpose, activities, and approaches intentionally in their community engagement efforts. Specifically, we describe: (1) a framework for a range of outreach and engagement approaches; (2) the need for identifying partners, purpose, activities, and approaches; and (3) the importance of making intentional alignment among them. Misalignment across these dimensions may lead to wasting time or resources, eroding public trust, or failing to achieve intended outcomes. We illustrate the framework with examples from current COHH case studies, and conclude with future directions for strategic community engagement in OHH and other environmental health contexts.

Explaining community-level variation in police use of force: The influence of community characteristics and community-oriented policing on Australian officers use of force

Community engagement is a common early phase of design projects, and a critical juncture for designers to make space for historically marginalized communities to participate in the creative process. The design team for the Longfellow Middle School renovation project implemented a localistic engagement approach that explicitly sought to remove barriers to participation for members of the community and elevate the Longfellow facilities to a more equitable position to its peer schools in the district. The engagement methods of an interdisciplinary team of design and engagement professional included both local leaders and national collaborating experts to create targeted engagement opportunities for Spanish- speaking families and African American families. Our results demonstrate the power of engagement as an opportunity to build shared understanding around a project, to generate engagement data and artifacts that preserve the plurality of many voices, and importance of architects and designers using their project position to make space in the engagement framework for voices that have historically been ignored.

This study investigates the influence of open-space design within residential complexes on social interaction among residents in suburban Bangalore. Open spaces, encompassing parks, courtyards, pathways, and semi-private communal areas, are vital in shaping socio-spatial dynamics, fostering community engagement, and enhancing psychological wellbeing. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining direct field observations, structured questionnaires, and spatial analysis of Brigade Panorama (gated high-rise) and Serenade Layout (open plotted development). Observational data focused on frequency, type, and duration Aof social activities, while survey responses captured residents' perceptions, preferences, and satisfaction levels. Findings reveal that neither extreme centralization nor complete dispersal of open spaces optimally supports social interaction. Instead, a hybrid design approach, combining central community greens with distributed semi-private spaces, creates balanced opportunities for both planned and spontaneous interactions. The study establishes that thoughtful planning and design of open spaces significantly influence the quality and frequency of social interactions in residential settings, offering guidelines for architects, planners, and policymakers to create communities that encourage interaction, inclusivity, and well-being. Key Words: open spaces, residential complexes, social interaction, urban design, community engagement, spatial configuration, suburban housing, Bangalore.

Public space scenes are being transformed by virtual reality (VR) technology, offering immersive and interactive experiences that redefine how people engage with their surroundings. Through VR simulations, users can explore and interact with virtual public spaces in ways that were previously impossible. From virtual parks and plazas to digital replicas of iconic landmarks, VR technology allows users to experience the ambiance and atmosphere of public spaces from the comfort of their own homes. Moreover, VR enables designers and planners to experiment with different layouts, amenities, and features, facilitating participatory design processes and community engagement. This paper presents a visual design and evaluation framework for public space scenes using virtual reality (VR) technology, enhanced by Virtual Parallel Edge Hashing Computing (VPE-HC). The framework aims to optimize the design and user experience of public spaces by leveraging VR technology to create immersive and interactive simulations. Through simulated experiments and empirical validations, the effectiveness of the VPE-HC-enhanced VR-based design and evaluation process is evaluated. Results demonstrate significant improvements in user satisfaction, engagement, and usability compared to traditional design methods. For instance, users interacting with public space scenes designed using VPE-HC reported a 40% increase in perceived safety and a 25% improvement in overall satisfaction ratings. Additionally, the framework enabled designers to optimize spatial layouts and amenities based on real-time user feedback and performance data, leading to more effective and user-centric design solutions. These findings underscore the potential of VPE-HC in enhancing the visual design and evaluation of public space scenes based on VR technology, facilitating more inclusive and user-friendly urban environments.

240 Children, Youth and Environments Vol. 20 No. 2 (Fall 2010) ISSN: 1546-2250 Linking Architecture and Education: Sustainable Design for Learning Environments Taylor, Anne (2009). Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press; 451 pages. $100. ISBN 9780826334077. In Linking Architecture and Education, Anne Taylor has compiled a career of research into an extensive resource for architects, administrators, educators, and anyone else involved in the design of learning environments. Dr. Taylor founded and served as director of the Institute for Environmental Education in the School of Architecture and Planning at the University of New Mexico, where she directed research that examined the effects of the built environment on children. In this book she advocates for a series of design principles developed through years of teaching, research, and professional consultancy on the design of learning environments. The book places primary emphasis on the design of schools and schoolyards, with consideration also given to informal learning spaces such as museums and playgrounds. Aimed at providing a common language for design professionals and educators, Taylorattempts to link educational goals and learning theories to design principles through the use of numerous charts and graphics woven throughout the volume. The book is loosely organized around five key themes: philosophical foundations, organizational strategies, the building as a teaching tool or “threedimensional textbook,” future trends, and fostering ecological stewardship. The first four themes serve as the topics for the book sections, providing a sequential organization and unifying structure to the extensive literature. Stewardship is addressed in four separate chapters—one for each section of the book. The organization of the book is driven by Taylor’s aspirations to transform the educational built environment through a series of holistic-design guidelines including: design criteria that is informed by the users’ developmental needs; architectural form that evolves from curriculum and learning theory; educational spaces that are 241 flexible and modeled after the design studio; learning landscapes; community engagement through co-location, multi-use design, and the community as living laboratory; and post-occupancy user guides and evaluation. Along the way she incorporates supplemental information in the form of case studies, photographs, charts, and visual and verbal commentary from colleagues. These are organized in a brilliantly colored and graphically coded format of sidebar information, design tools, designer perspectives, and stewardship forums. At times this rich array of resources and varied perspectives disrupts the flow of the book—obscuring the points presented instead of punctuating them. But, perhaps more significantly, they also create the possibility for an alternative, nonlinear, reading of the book. Students, design and education professionals, parents, and community members may find this secondary organization helpful in using the text as a sourcebook of examples and best practices both to inform the design of new learning spaces as well as to identify opportunities to make more effective use of existing spaces. The link between pedagogy and architectural design is made clear throughout the book, with related concepts often introduced through charts and diagrams and further reinforced by case examples. In section one, for example,Taylor links philosophical theories to the roles of the learner and teacher, the curriculum, and instructional strategies. She also links these theories to the role of the architect, the design process, and the form of the physical environment. A case study of Reggio Emilia preschools inItaly then demonstrates how aspects of the building design can support the educational philosophy of the school. Stakeholders in design processes may benefit from understanding how philosophy informs practice, and Taylorjustifies combining this information into a single chart as a starting point for design discussion between disciplines. Often such diagrams in the book successfully illustrate key relationships between architecture and education, but at times the format is problematic. For example, the chart could easily be misinterpreted by the reader as a prescription for a particular design process or architectural style based on the educational philosophy of the client. In general, however, Taylor successfully relates educational and architectural concepts in clear and meaningful 242 ways. Design students and practitioners may appreciate the succinct overview of major educational theories in section two, whereas educators may find section three particularly useful for the long list of suggestions about how to use the educational facility...

This paper synthesizes empirical evidence on the environmental and socioeconomic impacts of petroleum exploration and production in the Niger Delta, Southern Nigeria, focusing on soils, surface and groundwater, and local livelihoods. A review of field-based studies, environmental assessments and community surveys reveals pervasive hydrocarbon contamination (TPH, PAHs), elevated heavy-metal concentrations, and widespread degradation of mangrove and farmland soils. Contaminants migrate into surface waters and shallow aquifers, impairing drinking-water quality and fisheries. Empirical studies also document reduced agricultural yields, loss of fish catches, health complaints, and livelihood erosion—effects compounded by weak monitoring, delayed spill response and chronic seepage from aging pipelines. Remediation efforts (engineered excavation, bioremediation, phytoremediation) show variable success; cost, ecological sensitivity (mangroves) and governance deficits limit large-scale recovery. The synthesis concludes that meaningful restoration requires coordinated long-term remediation, rigorous monitoring, community engagement and strengthened regulatory enforcement. Priority actions include hotspot remediation, alternative livelihood support, and establishing transparent contaminant and health-monitoring systems.

Community Based Tourism (CBT) development in ethnic communities is a participatory approach to tourism that empowers minority groups to manage, benefit from, and preserve their cultural and natural resources. The main objective of the study is to explore the potential of CBT development in Rajshahi City, with a specific emphasis on its ethnic communities. A mixed-methods approach is used as the study methodology. In total, 161 data points are collected from seven communities using a six-point Likert scale, and 27 interviews are conducted beforehand to understand the socio-economic, environmental, visitor-related, social, and regulatory aspects of ethnic communities for CBT development. These aspects are extracted from an extensive literature review. ANOVA and DMRT are conducted using SPSS software. Findings reveal that unique cultural assets and traditional knowledge, economic development, cultural preservation, environmental protection, and regulatory issues serve as a strong foundation for CBT development. In addition, it is observed that respondents express different opinions across destinations. The study also identifies significant challenges and opportunities for CBT development. Despite some drawbacks, community engagement, local governance, and potential collaboration with stakeholders are found to be important for CBT development. Theoretical and practical applications are discussed. This research also provides actionable recommendations to policymakers and tourism practitioners for enhancing inclusive tourism practices, promoting economic upliftment, and preserving the cultural heritage of ethnic communities in Rajshahi City.

Community engagement in the research process is more than communication and outreach. It is a process of co-production of knowledge. The co-production of knowledge starts and ends at the “small” local level but is embedded in “big” processes that are nested in academic and research institution priorities. This chapter problematizes the issues of small-to-big science and reflects on limitations related to community engagement in research such as community research fatigue, un-standardized research ethics protocols across research institutions, and limitations in funding bodies’ budget schemes. It considers lessons learned by theorizing a “sliding scale of community engagement” that can be used to conceptualize the definitions of community engagement activities within a large research project. The chapter also places emphasis on discussion of the community-engagement experiences of the Nordforsk-funded Nordic Centre of Excellence project Arctic Climate Predictions: Pathways to Resilient, Sustainable Societies (ARCPATH). This project has facilitated excellent collaboration with our informants in our research communities and hence provides a significant example of the co-production of knowledge that we seek to encourage.

Background: Community engagement is a critical component of health promotion programs that are aimed to close gaps in health disparities. There is a need for community collaborators to develop services to improve the quality of life for at-risk populations emphasizing a reduction of risk factors and premature morbidity and mortality. Aim: This study aims to assess strategies implemented by Jackson Heart Study Community Outreach Center (JHS CORC) to influence or motivate community engagement in health promotion activities which focused on reduction of health disparities and improvement of the health status of the communities in three counties. Methods: This was a quantitative, correlation study of the perceptions of JHS participants and other stakeholders who were purposively selected. A self-administered questionnaire was utilized that elicited comments and perceptions from 128 participants regarding five subject areas measuring community engagement: (1) Ways to increase participation in the community outreach activities; (2) Reasons the respondents decided to participate in community outreach activities; (3) Interest in participating in a community research study similar to the JHS; (4) The best way to communicate about community outreach activities; (5) Diseases that affect the communities the most. The investigation explored the participants’ views of the five main subject areas as well as additional related supplemental questions accompanying each main category to gain an understanding of their perceptions based on demographic characteristics. Conclusion: It is important to encourage effective and sustainable community engagement in health promotion programs which focused on closing gaps in health disparities and improving the health status of the communities. This research builds on the existing literature on productive academia-community partnership as it presents effective strategies that have been developed by the JHS CORC at Jackson State University. The framework of JSU CORC’s strategies can be employed universally to promote health equity through prevention, education, training, and research, though elements may require tailoring for a given community.