Unlocking the Toolbox: Walls.io and Flockler

In the vast ocean of digital content, curation platforms like Walls.io and Flockler emerge as lighthouses, guiding cities to gather, display, and leverage social media content effectively. These platforms enable cities to curate user-generated content from various social media channels, creating a dynamic tapestry of community stories and experiences.

Key Features and Benefits:

• Aggregation: Collecting social media posts using specific hashtags or criteria.

• Customization: Tailoring the display to match the city's branding and website design.

• Engagement: Encouraging community participation and content creation.

Practical Application: Imagine integrating a live social wall on your city's event page, showcasing real-time updates and photos shared by attendees, turning individual moments into a shared experience.

Crafting Digital Pathways: Connecting Content and Community

Hashtags are more than just digital accessories; they are powerful tools for organizing and amplifying social content. This lesson explores strategic hashtag use and social media practices that cities can employ to enhance their marketing efforts and community engagement.

STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS

Consistent Branding: Develop unique, memorable hashtags for city events, campaigns, and initiatives.

Active Engagement: Regularly monitor, share, and respond to community posts to foster a lively digital ecosystem.

Cross-Promotion: Leverage multiple social media platforms to broaden your reach and engagement.

Case Study Highlight: A small town successfully revitalizes its annual festival by launching a hashtag campaign, encouraging attendees to share their experiences. The campaign not only increases online visibility but also strengthens the community's bond.

Learning from the Leaders: Insights and Inspiration

Dive into real-world examples of cities that have seamlessly integrated social content into their digital strategies, achieving remarkable results in community engagement and city marketing.

FEATURED CASE STUDIES

Boston’s Civic Tech Initiative: The BOS:311 App

Boston has pioneered in civic technology through its BOS:311 app, enabling residents to report non-emergency issues directly from their smartphones. This platform not only streamlined service delivery but also fostered a stronger sense of community involvement. Residents seeing their issues addressed in real-time reinforced the notion that their contributions were valuable, showcasing the transformative potential of technology to enhance civic engagement​​.

Participatory Budgeting in Paris

Paris has set a remarkable precedent in civic engagement through its participatory budgeting initiative. Since 2014, the city has dedicated a significant portion of its capital budget to projects proposed and voted on by its citizens. This initiative involved over 100,000 participants and a budget exceeding €100 million in 2019 alone, demonstrating the creative application of democratic participation to foster widespread civic engagement​​.

Philadelphia's Community Engagement: Reimagining Public Spaces

In Philadelphia, the "Edit the City!" project reimagined public spaces through a unique engagement strategy called "Love Letters to South Street". This initiative asked residents, business owners, and visitors to share their memories and stories of South Street in the form of love letters. These contributions were then mapped onto a virtual memory map, informing recommendations for making South Street a more people-centered public space. This innovative approach highlighted the power of storytelling and community involvement in urban planning and demonstrated a shift towards more human-centered city design​​.

University-Wide Engagement Through Social Walls

Case Western Reserve University and the State University of New York (SUNY) have effectively used social walls to strengthen their campus communities and engage students in university-wide initiatives. Case Western Reserve University's large-scale LED media wall serves as a central information and connection point, showcasing content from various departments. Similarly, SUNY utilized a social wall for events connected to their initiative supporting victims and survivors of sexual and interpersonal violence, fostering individual and collective engagement with the program​​.