In this paper, I introduce my graduate research focused on the design of digital environments for community expression. I introduce the specific project, Village Voice, which originates from my MSc work at the MIT Media Laboratory. This project involved the design of a digital environment mat could make possible the sharing of knowledge, story, and cultural tradition as documented through video and audio across a physically bounded Somali refugee community located within the Boston-area. I point to the unique architecture around which the system is designed, and where it stands relative to important issues of public space and urbanism. Finally, I discuss how this new type of ICT-space evaluates (based on an empirical study) as a mechanism of engaging community.
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