How a new wave of local apps is helping communities unite

Smartphone

A community isn’t just a collection of buildings, roads and utilities. It’s a local nexus where connections are made and constant interactions occur.

Technology is now starting to play a role in community building with the emergence of a new wave of community-focused apps that allow people to connect, access resources, and be part of something bigger. Here are some notable examples.

Nextdoor

Nextdoor is a neighborhood-based social networking platform that connects neighbors, helping them exchange information, recommendations, and services. During the pandemic, for example, Nextdoor evolved into a crucial venue for neighbors to provide aid to those in need, from grocery shopping and dog walking to emotional support and advice.

Meetup

While not a new app, Meetup enables individuals with similar interests to start and join neighborhood groups, encouraging in-person interactions and exchanging of experiences.

For instance, local wine enthusiasts can use Meetup to connect with like-minded people, plan tastings with others, and discover new vintages and brands. Between March and October 2020, Meetup hosted over one million events, illustrating the demand for local connections.

Volunteermatch

VolunteerMatch makes it simple to find ways to give back by putting volunteers in touch with nearby nonprofit and community organizations.

Using the app, for instance, volunteers can find nearby service organizations like food drives, animal shelters, or tutoring services.

Buy Nothing Project

New feature bundle

Buy Nothing Project encourages neighborhood bonds and waste reduction by promoting the exchange of products and services among hyperlocal communities. Residents can use the app to lend or borrow items, such as baby gear, gardening tools and power equipment.

Citizen

Users who download Citizen are given the ability to stay up to date on local crises, safety events, and crime alerts in real time. For instance, users of the app can utilize it to become more aware of their surroundings, understand any local issues and make safety-related decisions.

Meal Sharing

Meal Sharing links foodies and travelers with nearby home cooks who provide authentic meals, promoting cross-cultural interactions and community development. It allows visitors to connect with locals and sample local food while learning about their culture, history and cooking methods.

Fostering meaningful connections

More hyperlocal apps are being developed and released every week. There are also some examples of local Filipino apps, such as the Community Pantry Finder created during the pandemic to map locations of community pantries. If the pandemic taught us one thing, it was that our local communities are stronger when there is meaningful, fruitful communication between residents.

Technology doesn’t just have to be about shiny new phones or blockchain-based financing. It can also help bring us all together through better communication. Is there a local app you use in your community? Tell us about it!

The author is the COO and digital co-founder of PropertyAccess

Technology doesn’t just have to be about shiny new phones or blockchain-based financing. Technology is starting to play a role in community building with the emergence of a new wave of community-focused apps that allow people to connect.