Collective intelligence and poverty

http://blogs.worldbank.org/ic4d/collective-intelligence-and-poverty

"Information and Communication Technologies potentially offer a powerful means of connecting global knowledge, expertise and resources to deal with problems of poverty. Community mapping of slum environments can then allow architects and urban planners from around the world to collaborate on plans to improve the physical spaces that constitute slums, in active dialogue with local residents. A good example is the case of ArcBazar.com that helped connect 70 architects from around the world to make competitive submissions for redeveloping an abandoned school area in Somerville Massachusetts. The local residents selected the best design. Platforms like ArcBazar could provide a low-cost alternative for obtaining architectural design services, and helping poor communities to rapidly develop and improve their physical environments. I recently spoke with ArcBazar’s CEO Dr.Imdat As, who is keen to see how architects could also collaborate, rather than merely compete, to deal with the spatial dimensions of urban poverty and decay. "


An interesting article on how working together is being accomplished over the Internet.  This type of crowdsourcing was not possible before.  I do disagree, though, that " Leadership is the most important ingredient of success."  I believe that this new method of working together does not require much leadership.  See my other blog, www.internetcollectiveaction.org.