Innovation spaces are hybrid infrastructure, both physical and digital.
Why does it matter?
Physical and digital spaces may be viewed as opposing aspects of our built environments, but in reality, they are closely intertwined. By blending them together, we can optimize the performance of both; on one hand, creating stronger human connections, and on the other, humanizing digital tools. Fab City Hubs emerged within this framework of complexity and interconnection between these layers.
This section will explore the importance of using digital tools such as web pages, wikis, slack channels, and similar to establish and run your Fab City Hub. It will also provide a selection of tools and inspiring examples on how to effectively blend digital and physical aspects in a Fab City Hub to maximize their effects.
Key aspects
Here are the 3 key aspects of a Fab City Hub where blending physical and digital can be focused on:
Internal communication
The physical spaces for interaction and community building within a Fab City Hub can be enhanced by incorporating digital communication platforms for members. This can increase opportunities for interaction by providing a variety of communication spaces. For example, community members can use digital tools to connect with others within the community when they are not physically present in the same location or at the hub.
Examples of tools for internal communication within a Fab City Hub include:
Social networks and online events are tools that can be used to increase visibility for projects and initiatives, attract new members and expand to local and international communities within a Fab City Hub. Such tools can be used at different scales, expanding the reach of the physical hub.
At the city scale, they can help to attract new community members from the area where the hub is located or from other neighborhoods. For example, promoting local events on social media can help attract new visitors. At the national scale, social media can help to gain exposure in the national landscape and connect with wider initiatives and networks, in order to maximize the hub's impact and connect with national decision-makers. At the European and global scale, digital communication tools can help to connect and interact with global networks such as the European Creative Hubs Network, the Fab City Network, and the Fab Lab Network.
For inspiration, here are some examples of hubs using external communication to increase their impact and connection:
A Fab City Hub provides a variety of services, such as coworking, digital fabrication, shared kitchens, and meeting rooms, as well as different products, such as memberships, pricing plans, and flexible and fixed desks, to a diverse group of people including NGOs, citizens, freelancers, makers, SMEs, and large corporations. Managing this complexity is only possible with a robust digital technology that is deeply integrated with the physical space.
Here are some examples of space management solutions for Fab City Hubs:
Find here a curated selection of Tools and Stories from the Fab City Hub Network that could inspire you to blend the digital and physical aspect of your Fab City Hub