Harringay Online Explained
Harringay Online is a hyperlocal social network based in the neighbourhood of Harringay, north London.
History
Started on 1 July 2007, Harringay Online was one of the first neighbourhood websites to be set up using social media technology.[1] It was established with the stated aim of strengthening the community in the neighbourhood of Harringay in the north London Borough of Haringey. The site aims to achieve a blend of web-based and real world neighbourhood interactions.[2]
Harringay Online explains its aims as achieving four main outcomes:[2] [3]
- Building a sense of place in a neighbourhood – an understanding and appreciation of the neighbourhood to encourage a feeling of belonging and regarding a place as home.
- Building social capital in the neighbourhood – building networks, norms and trust that enable people to act together more effectively to pursue shared objectives – simply put building community spirit or neighbourliness.
- Empowering local people to take action to shape their neighbourhood – working to improve local people's ability to influence local decisions and affect local circumstances.
- Engaging people in local democratic processes.
The site's main structure is:[2]
- Main Page - summarising and linking to all content.
- Forum - for discussions on local and sometimes non-local issues.
- Gallery - pictures & videos including an extensive series of film footage and photos on Harringay's history.
- Local Information - a wide range of local links and information including weekly updates.
- Events - calendar of local events.
- Local History - a well-established local history resources including thoroughly researched articles in the History Group, an extensive gallery of images and posts on history in the forum
- Special Interest groups, including Gardening and a very authoritative
The site is a well used local site and receives between 1500 and 3000 unique users per day.[2] An email update is circulated weekly to all members.[1]
Harringay Online is regularly referenced around the world as an exemplary, community-led, hyperlocal website, being referred to recently by Urban Initiatives as "the gold standard for community websites". It has been recognised by two national awards and was awarded a Judge's Special Commendation by the Prime Minister in the UK's 2008 Catalyst Awards.[4] In June 2009 it was highly commended in the National eWell-Being Awards.[4]
In 2010 it was a focus for the UK-based study on local websites, the Online Neighbourhood Networks Study
With a stated target population of 22,500, by 2018, it had signed over 12,500 members.
References & notes
- General
External links
Notes and References
- https://static1.squarespace.com/static/55085c8ee4b022164d6d58e6/t/55477815e4b03d21cf4da857/1430747157473/Local-by-Social-2010.pdf Book: Gibson, Andy. Local By Social. NESTA . 2010 .
- http://www.lgeoresearch.com/LGEONewsletters/Vol1.pdf Book: Azyan, Liz. Exploring Online Neighbourhoods. LGEO Research . 2009 .
- Book: Joining the Conversation. Young Foundation, I&DEA, Local Government Association . 2010 .
- Book: Online Networked Neighbourhoods Study. Capital Ambition, London Councils . 2010 .
