We already talked about potentials of blockchain based concepts and platforms in many aspects of our practice. It is very important to understand how concepts like (and similar to) Steemit may change the way we approach our everyday communications. It is much more than be rewarded for blogging or posting other types of user-generated content. We can take almost every project, reconsider it in the light of blockchain technology and see the new possibility and potentials for its successful implementation.

For purpose of this text, we will analyze the strategy proposed to the Novi Sad 2021 – organization which is responsible for the realization of Novi Sad European Capital of Culture project. It all happened during last year, and although we received positive feedback – the project was never officially accepted – so we want to share it with you and ad some new thoughts to it, from today's perspective. Part of this material (regarding the crowdsourcing mechanisms) was introduced last year in the post of our colleague @hidden84

The primary objective was to develop communication platform concept, which will successfully involve the local community in public participation process around urban planning activities aimed at urban pockets in Novi Sad.

Success of urban planning projects depends on one universal rule - they must represent a reflection of real needs which are not recognized only by individual target audiences, but society as a whole. So the participatory planning is a response to the need of involving the entire community in the processes. If it is implemented well, it synchronizes the views of all participants in the process, prevents conflicts among opposing parties, and provides an equal opportunity for participation of those social groups that often become marginalized by traditional methods of participation.

So we proposed integrated modular web platform with three key functions: informative, awareness raising and participation. Each of these functions is based on separated activities built on different crowdsourcing principles.

1. INFORMATIVE FUNCTION

1.1. Information on the activities of the organization

The regular release of news and information about the project. Their integration within the web platform is not demanding and contributes to the correct perception of the fact that the European capital of culture project is a manifestation that offers not only one solution, but a complex set of changes that if properly implemented, can significantly improve the quality of life, and create permanent mechanisms that will significantly contribute to the development of the whole community.

1.2. Trends in Urbanism

Presentation of new trends and technologies is always attractive, and their regular communication through the platform contributes to educating users about their existence and perceiving the fact that people can see them implemented in their communities.

1.3. Examples of good practice

Presentation of case studies that were based on participatory planning methods and for the effect had permanent changes in urban environments that gave them new social functions in accordance with the needs of the community. Studies show attractive examples from the world, putting special emphasis on the very act of participatory planning through new technologies, which traditional methods present in a completely new, attractive context.

2. RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF ACTIVE PARTICIPATION

In order to satisfy the primary role of the platform, and create the online space in which participatory planning activities are realized, it is necessary to provide all the resources that will enable users to get the basic knowledge necessary for a quality participation.

The function is based on a set of activities that will contribute to the continuous improvement of the existing situation

Education on decision-making mechanisms of local government
Education on the roles and importance of participatory planning
Quarter ambassadors

2.1. Education on decision-making mechanisms of local government

In order to create a sustainable basis for the maintenance of all forms of participatory activities, it is necessary to influence awareness of basic planning procedures and the work of local government:

• The types of spatial plans, defined by the Law on Planning and Construction
• Procedures for the preparation of planning documents
• Existing bodies of local government (special emphasis is put on working bodies that can have different roles in the later phases of the project).

2.2. Education on the roles and importance of participatory planning

Parallel to the development of knowledge about legal frameworks and the functioning of self-government, as well as the insight into the problems that are caused by the shortcomings of traditional methods, users are approaching participatory methods based on crowdsourcing and related innovative principles. Special attention is paid to emphasizing the role of developed civic responsibility, as well as removing prejudice that our opinion cannot have a real impact on the changes that take place in our environment.

Also, each form of participatory activity is followed by a set of materials whose function is to create an adequate framework for the quality participation of each individual (reducing the effect of the "wish list" as well as the risk of misunderstanding and giving feedback that is not relevant):

• Description of each individual project
• Conclusions and opinions of the professionals
• The significance of the proposed solutions and the expected effect on the environment in which they are planned
• Detailed instructions on how to participate through the platform

2.3. Quarter ambassadors

Thanks to its participatory function and innovative principles, the platform is an attractive mechanism which generates public attention. It is natural to assume that during the implementation of activities, a certain number of participants will express a high interest and successfully adopt new knowledge. If they are approached appropriately, these users can also play an important role in offline project activities.

In this way, the Quarter ambassadors become important representatives of the project that are active in their local environments.

3. PARTICIPATORY FUNCTION

Participation is a key role of the platform which is based on the application of the crowdsourcing principles and simultaneous realization of the above-mentioned functions. Thanks to its online character, the platform enables the application of different levels of participatory activities that are adapted to the needs of each individual project being implemented by the organization.

Polls
Online voting (simulation of spatial change, presentation of potential solutions)
Visualization of the future (Virtual walks)
Live stream
Discussion boards
Crowdfunding

3.1. Polls

Polls are the simplest form of participatory activities provided by the platform and are suitable for checking simple solutions in the least demanding urban pockets interventions. In order to achieve attractiveness, surveying is done through the integration of services which enables dynamic and real-time insight of results.

3.2. Online voting (simulation of spatial change, presentation of potential solutions)

Through the presentation of different models (such as the different urban mobiliar solutions), participants are offered the opportunity to manage a picture of public space within the platform (changes in the color of the bench, nearby plants, different contents on the children's playground, etc.). Each user has the option of submitting his proposed solution through the "submit" option, which becomes available in the gallery after they are approved by the administration (this prevents the multiplication of identical solutions in the gallery). All citizens can vote for all publicly exposed solutions, which is a valuable indicator for planners.

With the avoidance of the "wish list" effect, citizens express their attitude about the possibilities that were previously defined as doable, which negates the risk of getting unachievable proposals.

3.3. Visualization of the future

Creation of virtual models of urban pockets, which represent the views of potential project outcomes, based on the proposal of the experts involved in the process. Participatory workshops are held in local communities, or within the urban pocket itself, whereby all interested citizens can move through the future of their city and experience a unique participatory activity with VR technology.

An important role in maintaining workshops and disseminating information on their performance is carried out by the Quarter Ambassadors, who play the role of workshop hosts.

This participative method has the potential for motivating the professional public to produce case studies and scientific articles, which further promotes the project. Also, it is very important that in this way all individuals encounter an identical vision of the planned change, which eliminate the risk of its misunderstanding and negative reactions after its realization.

After completing the presentations, virtual walks are also provided through the web platform.

3.4. Live stream

In accordance with the previously described functions of the platform (informative, educational), any offline activity is also available in the live broadcast form on the site. During live streaming activities, it is possible to implement additional participatory methods such as flash polls, etc. After a workshop has been held, the video is available on the platform so everyone can have an insight into its conclusions.

3.5. Discussion boards

Internet forums represent a sort of phenomenon from the first forms of web 2.0. concepts. The forums are especially successful if they deal with a specialized subject, as they encourage the development of complex and diverse conversations on specific issues. Developing a forum within a participatory platform would open an additional communication channel that would have multiple positive effects:

• Citizens contact with representatives of the project
• Insight into public attitudes on various issues related to the project
• It would improve the mutual understanding between all users of the projects
• It would help transparency
• It would enable the launch of bottom-up initiatives, which can be recognized as important for the organization.

3.6. Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding can be considered as a potential opportunity for platform improvement, which can be a natural continuation of the bottom-up initiatives that arise within the platform. Just like in the leading crowdfunding platforms (Kickstarter, Indiegogo), citizens are offered the opportunity to run independent projects funded by the community, companies and institutions. This type of financing of urban, cultural, and other initiatives is especially attractive to potential sponsors, who can choose to provide financial support to the project in a transparent manner and transfer a part of their brand identity to the results of the project.

CONCLUSION

You will definitely notice that the described concept was entirely based on the application of the crowdsourcing principles within the standard web and database concepts. However, today it is interesting to analyze it from the aspect of blockchain technology. For example, SMT technology could be able to open up completely new horizons in activating local communities. Platforms that allow monetization of user content create frameworks in which users are motivated to take an active part in the participation process.

But this is not all. Such platforms integrate crowdfunding, crow creation, and crowd voting functions in ways that could not be done earlier. The absence of a central authority creates frameworks for achieving a substantial consensus. On the other hand, risks that can affect the visibility of individual proposals (such as censorship) are avoided.

The problem of low-quality feedback can also be regulated thanks to user curation. Practically the only problem that occurs in these circumstances is the willingness of the decision-makers to take this path in resolving the important social problems.