Introduction

We are actively engaged in community service for the residents of the Bronx. Through this initiative, we collaborate closely with local communities to revamp and organize an annual event known as the ‘Fish Parade,’ aimed at fostering community engagement.
Our objective was to conduct comprehensive social, cultural, and economic research within the locality. This approach aimed to deepen our understanding of the community we are primarily designing for. Once we gained a nuanced insight into the local sentiment, we proposed a range of activities tailored to enrich participation and engagement at the 2024 Fish Parade.

Research

Sociogram

In this process, we meticulously identified all potential stakeholders in collaboration with the parade organizer, ‘The Point,’ and mapped out their interconnectedness. This exercise was conducted to gain a deeper understanding of the resources available within the community and the network of relationships they encompass

Socio-Cultural Analysis

In this research phase, we delved into the demographic statistics of the community, analyzing factors such as population size, predominant ethnicities, average age, and more. Our aim was to identify potential issues that could be addressed through the design work we were undertaking

Economic Ecology

We meticulously cataloged all available resources within the community, including their respective roles and physical locations. This strategic mapping allowed us to determine the most effective utilization of these resources in supporting the organization of the parade.

Key Observations

  • Churches could be used as a place to promote the Parade and gather traction
  • The Lungs of Hunts point ( The Parks) and hub for community engagement
  • Edu institutes and cultural organizations can be used to source talent for the activities of the Parade
  • Healthcare institutes to provide emergency assistance
  • Social Service organizations a source of volunteers
  • Major businesses in the area to contribute resources and supplies for the parade
  • Auto part companies could donate old parts for community sculpture creation.
  • Gov office to provide all required clearances and permissions
  • Police Precinct to maintain law and order.

Recommendations

1. Community Kitchen on Wheels (Food truck)

To serve as a community-led initiative fostering unity among residents through a shared public kitchen program, exchanging recipes, cultural identities, and flavors. Leveraging the sizable transient population that frequents Hunts Point for work is crucial. The overarching goal is to generate revenue through active community engagement.

2. Junkart community sculpture

Community engagement is fostered through a collective art activity promoting co-designing. This involves collecting auto parts from numerous auto stores in the area and encouraging the public to participate in building a sculpture or monument using these parts. To ensure safety, a workshop or mini-event is organized before the parade to construct the sculptures. On the day of the event, community members can come together to paint these sculptures, further enhancing participation and creativity

3. Social Media (Instagram and Facebook)

The aim is to raise awareness and maximize the event’s outreach within the community. This involves creating a dedicated Instagram/Facebook page for the event, facilitating organizations to offer real-time updates leading up to and during the event. Furthermore, the introduction of new themes each year allows for the implementation of a competition where students can design the logo for the theme of the year, fostering engagement and creativity

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