How to Design a Research Project

Research Questions

• How does cultural diversity in La Florida contribute to empowering residents and enhancing integration?

• What role do public space and community initiatives play in changing perceptions of La Florida from a “ghetto” to a place of cultural and social richness?

• How can design, technology, and participatory practices support the visibility and recognition of La Florida’s cultural diversity?

Hypothesis

Cultural diversity in La Florida is not just a necessity for migrants newcomers, but a powerful resource for empowerment and integration. The barrio serves as a knowledge hub that, when properly acknowledged and utilized, can reshape the dominant narratives about marginalized communities and foster inclusive urban coexistence.

Theoretical Framework

This research is grounded in social dynamics, participatory design and technology exploration. It's based on the ideology of cultural diversity transforming public space into a place of resistance and empowerment. It also refers to interculturalism and social inclusion theories to explore how community engagement challenges the stigmatization of La Florida people.

Secondary Resources

• Massey, D. (1994). A Global Sense of Place.

The Massey' theory of place as fluid and shaped by diverse identities supports the idea that La Florida is a dynamic cultural social ecosystem.

• Amin, A. (2002). Ethnicity and the Multicultural City: Living with Diversity. Environment and Planning A.

Urban diversity is an asset rather than a threat, contributing to community resilience.

• Krippendorff, K. (2006). The Semantic Turn: A New Foundation for Design. CRC Press.

It suggests that designers should focus on the meanings that artifacts acquire and how users interact with them, moving beyond mere functionality to consider cultural and contextual significance.

• Cultural experiences in the framework of "cultural cities": measuring the socioeconomic impact of culture in urban performance

Methods

Ethnographic Fieldwork

Participant observation in public spaces and cultural events.

Walking interviews with residents and community leaders.

Participatory Design Workshop

Co-creation session to design artifacts representing cultural diversity.

Engaging the community in storytelling and documentation of their experiences.