Sincere Apology to Fellow Nextdoor Community Members for Fosterement of Good Neighborly Relations
In the time of social distancing, the value of neighborly connections increases. With fewer opportunities to interact with distant individuals, our focus may shift towards nearby relationships, both online and offline. As we shift our lives, activities, and affections to digital platforms, the containers of community interactions and problem-solving have become empty. However, face-to-face interaction tradition in sharing information and ideas has survived the surreal tide of lockdown, moving to mask-free zones.
This evolution has led to the rise of geolocated virtual communities, taking over the roles of traditional neighborhood doormen. Platforms like Laserwall and FrescoFrigo cater to the same needs as doormen, but they are accessible to everyone. These networks are seeing steady growth in users and solidarity. "Social streets" have paved the way for hyperlocal networks to develop and flourish.
Take, for instance, Laserwall, an interactive bulletin board for connecting neighbors and promoting mutual aid. FrescoFrigo, a community app for managing condominium supermarkets, was first tested during the emergency by over 1,000 residents of a building on the outskirts of Milan. It has become so popular that it has launched an equity crowdfunding campaign on CrowdFundMe for its expansion.
While Nextdoor serves a similar purpose as a virtual neighbor, it lacks the natural connection between users beyond geographical proximity. It provides opportunities for neighbors to find work, plumbers, bike shops, or fishmongers. But what's unique is the increased conversations regarding supporting local commerce, which could positively impact local businesses.
Italy, where Nextdoor arrived in 2018 and has 3,000 neighborhoods, has shown slow but steady growth. In the United States, where Nextdoor was born, the governor of the State of New York, Andrew Cuomo, noticed its potential and experimented with it to popularize emergency behavior guidelines.
Amedeo Galano, head of Nextdoor Italy, believes, "Nextdoor is the number one platform to meet neighbors locally. During the pandemic, it has served as a crucial support for social life as users lost relationships and considered the platform essential to their routine. Going forward, interactions will increase to activate projects in neighborhoods, creating a constant hybridization between the real and virtual world. Mini-features introduced during the quarantine, like the Map of Solidarity and Solidarity Groups, cater to the needs that have emerged, but the key to success will be the network of micro-businesses. Advice and reviews have the chance to generate trust through proximity."
The pandemic has forced people to connect virtually, but the need for community remains. In these geolocated virtual communities, neighbors can find support, share information, and build a sense of community. As we navigate through the pandemic and explore new ways to interact, these networks may prove to be an essential part of our lives.
- As the pandemic drives us to engage more with virtual communities, platforms like Laserwall and FrescoFrigo that cater to home-and-garden and lifestyle needs are witnessing increased popularity, fostering a sense of community and neighborly connection.
- In the new norm of social distancing, technology plays a pivotal role in connecting neighbors, as illustrated by the rise of geolocated virtual networks such as Nextdoor, where work opportunities, local business support, and community building all take place, thereby bridging the gap between the physical and digital realm.
