Academic Research Lab for Community Participation & Urban Consultation
rightto.city is an academic research laboratory that provides professional services at the intersection of community participation, spatial justice, and urban reconstruction. Inspired by Henri Lefebvre's concept of "the right to the city," we position ourselves as a critical platform that bridges community voices with reconstruction initiatives through systematic documentation and participatory planning methodologies.
We operate at the convergence of two essential data streams: community stories and lived experiences on one side, and grassroots projects and reconstruction initiatives on the other. By bringing these together, we create a comprehensive knowledge infrastructure that enables evidence-based, community-centered urban planning and development.
Our platform employs spatial storytelling and participatory mapping as research tools to capture the collective memory, present conditions, and future aspirations of communities affected by conflict and displacement. This methodology enables:
We enable cities and municipalities to engage directly with affected communities through our digital participation platform, collecting georeferenced stories, needs assessments, and community priorities.
Spatial analysis and mapping services that combine community-generated data with professional GIS methodologies to support evidence-based planning and resource allocation.
Systematic documentation of grassroots initiatives and reconstruction projects, enabling transparency, accountability, and knowledge sharing across development actors.
Custom research services analyzing patterns in community needs, reconstruction priorities, and spatial justice issues using our comprehensive database of community narratives.
We work on a fee-for-service basis with:
For consultation services, research partnerships, or platform access inquiries:
Contact Research Lab