Speaker
Description
Climate change is one of the most significant challenges facing humanity on a global scale. Addressing environmental degradation and sustainability challenges requires not only the efforts of governments and large corporations but also the active participation of individuals and communities in developing innovative solutions. This paper presents findings from GreenHack, a student hackathon organized at Istanbul Technical University (ITU) in December 2023, which aimed to address sustainability challenges through the use of participatory geographic information systems (PGIS). The event focused on ITU’s “Green Campus” initiative, aligning with UI GreenMetric criteria, a global green-campus and environmental sustainability initiative, to design practical and user-centered solutions.
Participants developed application prototypes addressing themes such as energy efficiency, waste management, water conservation, and green space planning. The prototypes demonstrated the potential of GIS-based tools to visualize data, engage users through gamification, and provide actionable insights for sustainable campus practices. Participants developed approaches in different scopes throughout the event; they addressed sustainability goals from various angles with solutions that included both technical and social dimensions.
The hackathon itself was a participatory activity, as students, key stakeholders in the campus ecosystem, were directly involved in shaping its future. By participating in the event, students had the opportunity to voice their perspectives, share their ideas, and contribute to creating solutions that reflect their priorities and needs. This collaborative approach not only generated innovative prototypes but also fostered a sense of ownership and responsibility among participants, strengthening their connection to the campus and its sustainability goals.
This paper further explores the dual role of PGIS in GreenHack: as a technical tool for collaborative problem-solving and as a mechanism for empowering stakeholders in planning processes. The findings highlight how participatory methodologies like hackathons can bridge the gap between environmental objectives and community engagement, creating actionable and inclusive solutions. While GreenHack was designed for a university setting, its outcomes demonstrate the scalability of these approaches to broader urban contexts, offering a replicable model for addressing sustainability challenges through participatory planning.
By demonstrating the intersection of technology, community participation, and environmental planning, this study underscores the transformative potential of PGIS in delivering solutions for a sustainable future. GreenHack serves as a case study for how participatory planning can bring together global sustainability efforts with the values and needs of its stakeholders, ensuring long-term impact and relevance.
References
Kahila-Tani,M.,Broberg,A.,Kyttä,M.,&Tyger,T.(2016).Let the citizens map—public participation GIS as a planning support system in the Helsinki master plan process. Planning Practice & Research, 31(2), 195-214.
Suwartha, N., & Sari, R. F. (2013). Evaluating UI GreenMetric as a tool to support green universities development: assessment of the year 2011 ranking. Journal of Cleaner Production, 61, 46-53.
| Keywords | Campus sustainability; Climate change; Green campus; Public GIS; Hackathon |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
