The Motorcycle Taxi Driver as a Community Reporter: Guidelines for the Promotion of a Marginalized Group’s Participation in the Improvement of Public Space by Using Information and Communication Technology

Abstract

motorcycle taxi drivers are a group of laborers in the informal sector who are socially shunned and are often harassed by the authorities and local influential people. Research has found that motorcycle taxi drivers have the potential to gather information concerning problems occurring in public spaces to be compiled into a database to encourage problem solving. Furthermore, smartphones are found to be a tool that assists motorcycle taxi drivers in effectively collecting information relating to problems that they encounter. Thus, the researcher, in collaboration with motorcycle taxi driver groups, has developed key concepts andan Information and Communication Technology (ICT) system that can contribute to the motorcycle taxi drivers’ becoming community reporters. Guidelines are also proposed for using the ICT system for reporting community problems to build a creative relationship between motorcycle taxi drivers and governmentinstitutions in managing public space.