Self-Serving Makerspace for Mississauga Residents
Led by Zhaoyang Li and Piya Sharma, this project envisions a self-serving makerspace that caters to the diverse and growing population of Mississauga, particularly in light of the city’s urban development and immigration trends. The goal is to create an inclusive and innovative space where residents can engage in creative and technological pursuits, fostering a sense of community and collaboration.
The project will explore the participation of immigrants in local makerspaces, particularly those within public libraries. Through qualitative research, including twenty in-depth interviews, we aim to understand how these spaces can better serve the needs of Mississauga’s diverse population.
Using urban development theory as a framework, we will analyze the role of makerspaces in the city’s recent growth, focusing on infrastructure such as libraries and educational institutions like the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM). We will examine how these spaces contribute to the city’s educational and cultural development and how they can be optimized to support future growth.
Additionally, the project will gather insights into participants’ ideal vision for makerspaces, which will inform the development and enhancement of UTM’s ODC (Open Design and Collaboration) facilities. By understanding the aesthetic and functional preferences of users, we aim to create a makerspace that is not only practical but also inspiring and reflective of Mississauga’s vibrant community.