Our methodology is based on the combination of two approaches, the Capabilities Approach (CA) and the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). The fist approach pertains to a theme elaborated by Amartya Sen and Matha Nussbaum and implemented by various United Nations programs. The Capabilities Approach emphasizes development through the accession of people’s own capacity to achieve the kind of life they value and have reason to value. The second approach, TIC, relates to information-distribution tools from computing, the Internet and telecommunications, now widely available in urban societies.
Presently, there is a general consensus on the potential for combining the CA and ICT, although there are few practical examples of the two being used for society’s benefit. With this is mind, Ciudad Emergente has positioned itself as a laboratory of tools for Citizen Urbanism – seeking to engender high-impact social innovation processes that improve the quality-of-life in cities.
We guide our projects by seeking to operationalize the Capability Approach and TIC through the combination of Tactical Urbanism strategies with intercommunication platforms 2.0. Drawing from our toolkit, we use LQC Tactics (Light, Quick and Cheap) and Tools 2.0 (in the form of web applications, online media, social networks, etc.).
