Technology-Oriented Community-Engaged Learning in Urban Planning

Abstract

Drawing on a Community-Engaged Learning (CEL) class with the community of Jisr Azzarqa, this paper examines the engagement with technology in urban planning practice. The paper argues that a CEL that utilizes advanced and situated technology, that is, Technology Oriented CEL (TOCEL), advances reciprocity in collaborations with underserved communities by developing trustworthy relationships, mutual learning, and crossing social, cultural, and geographical boundaries. The conclusion suggests that TOCEL pedagogy educates planners to work inclusively, better engage with communities, and implement decolonized practices. Moreover, it is suggested that applications of diverse technology in traditional planning processes can advance diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Keywords:

• Service learning
• Technology-Oriented Community-Engaged Learning (TOCEL)
• urban planning practice
• underserved communities
• contested communities

Acknowledgements

I would like to express my gratitude to the students and residents who participated in the TOCEL class over the years. This work is as much theirs as it is mine. My deepest appreciation to Rachel Kallus, whose enthusiasm, inclusiveness, and mentorship were instrumental in making this work possible. I am also appreciative of Nicola Dell for her ongoing guidance and collaborative approach in support of this endeavor. Lastly, I would like to thank the three anonymous referees for their valuable and constructive feedback.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Notes

1 Originally, the class was an initiative which was developed by the author and Professor Rachel Kallus (Technion), with the support and advice from Professor Nicola Dell (Cornell Tech). This article draws on the first 4 years of the TOCEL class in the Technion. Since late 2020, when the author moved to the US, a former student in the class delivers the class under the author’s supervision. From 2021, the Jisr project was extended, and it is now a collaboration between UC San Diego, Technion, and the communities of Jisr Azzarqa, Israel and Logan Heights, San Diego. New funds it received enable its continuation until 2024–2025 academic year and a student exchange.

2 https://socialhub.technion.ac.il/en/about/.

3 The Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) employs cluster analysis to categorize municipalities and local councils in Israel. This classification system utilizes demographic, social, and economic characteristics of the population within each geographical location to generate an index that assigns a value to the locality. The index typically ranges from 1 to 10, with 10 representing the highest value or classification level. See: https://www.cbs.gov.il/en/publications/Pages/2023/socio-2019-e.aspx.

4 See: https://www.cbs.gov.il/he/publications/doclib/2021/local_authorities19_1835/560_0541.pdf; https://www.cbs.gov.il/he/mediarelease/pages/2019/%D7%A9%D7%9B%D7%A8-%D7%9E%D7%9E%D7%95%D7%A6%D7%A2-%D7%9C%D7%9E%D7%A9%D7%A8%D7%AA-%D7%A9%D7%9B%D7%99%D7%A8-%D7%99%D7%95%D7%A0%D7%99-2019.aspx.

5 Many of the Arabs who live in Israel prefer to be called Palestinians and I am fully committed to their choice. However, since in Jisr some residents prefer to be termed Palestinian while others do not, and to better correspond with international readers, I refer to all the Arabs/Palestinians who live in Israel as Arab societies in Israel.

6 https://www.facebook.com/JuhasGuesthouse.

7 https://www.facebook.com/Beachub2021.

8 Source: Google Maps, 2023.

9 Source: generated by the author.

10 Particularly Professor Nicola Dell from Cornell Tech.

11 See Survey of Western Palestine (SWP), p. 35: https://archive.org/details/surveyofwesternp02conduoft/page/35/mode/1up?view=theater.

12 See also https://www.haaretz.com/1.5132391.

13 See: https://il.usembassy.gov/education-culture/exchangescholarship-programs/middle-east-partnership-initiative-mepi/.

Additional information

Funding

The work was funded Social Hub Technion Grant for Community Engaged Projects and Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute Ruch Exchange Grant

Notes on contributors

Mor Shilon

Mor Shilon is a Postdoctoral Fellow and Lecturer in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning, UC San Diego. She specializes in planning theory and methodologies, nonrepresentational theories, planning with communities, and technology and innovation. She has published articles in scholarly journals reflecting her interest in the interface of urban planning, affects, community engagement, and qualitative methodologies. [email protected]