Citizens education through participatory research learning: A Kaunas pilot study
2019
Link to the resource: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/334678348
- Format:
- Communication
- Target population:
- General population
- Objetive:
-
Propose, through a case study, a citizen science methodology that contributes to greater awareness and active participation of the population in urban health (particularly regarding physical activity and green spaces).
- Methodology:
-
The model to develop this pilot study has seven steps:
- choosing a scientific question,
- forming a team of scientists-educators,
- developing protocols, creating data forms and educational support materials,
- ensuring the participation and training of participants,
- collecting data, encoding and visualisation,
- analysing and interpreting data,
- disseminating and measuring results.
The urban health indicators that are included in the case study of Kaunas (Lithuania), are: noise level, air pollution, the surface of green space and accessibility to public parks.
- Opportunities and limitations:
-
The proposed methodology has two objectives: contribute to greater awareness and education about the urban environment and its implications in terms of health, and undertake collective data collection that serves for decision-making.
Thus, citizens are helped to acquire research skills, new knowledge and collaborative experiences, and are encouraged to adopt healthier habits.
This requires a multidisciplinary team that is highly involved in the process, and direct ties with the community to enable a fruitful, long-term collaboration.
- Indicators:
-
Level of air pollution. Level of noise pollution. Distance from the dwelling to an open public space (green/not green). Connectivity of the cycling network with other means of public transport. Number of actors/local administrations involved. Percentage of people who feel they can influence their environment.
- Thematic:
- Mobility and accessibility Public space Green infrastructure Equipment and services Cohesion and social capital
- Link to health:
- Physical
- Scale of the field of study:
- Neighbourhood (or higher) Block - set of buildings or spaces
- Implementation phase:
- Diagnosis / pre-project Implementation Monitoring and evaluation
- Methodological approach:
- Qualitative / Participatory