Edgelands cities

This project is part of the effort of the Edgelands Institute to identify local regulations that are being consolidated around surveillance technologies in cities, especially given the rapid changes in technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in recent years, which are applicable and applied in security operations.

During a two day workshop, we brought together 25 young people between 16 and 22 years old from different neighborhoods to discuss their perspectives on security and surveillance in urban and digital spaces in concrete scenarios.

The “social lab” is Mi Sangre Foundation’s methodology for creating an ecosystem of transformation that relies on collaboration and capacity as modes of interrogation. In We Are Recording You Social Lab, we met with different community stakeholders to discuss and critique themes of security and surveillance and reimagine Medellín’s social contracts (the social dynamics and power between citizens and authority) that function between Medellín’s government and citizens.

Meet our Fellows from the Medellín Fellowship

Hablemos Medellín is an initiative that promoted a survey for the citizens of Medellín to actively participate in shaping the future of their city.

Decoding Security, Coexistence, and Vigilance in Medellín were data workshops held over eight weeks in partnership with the Center for Political Analysis of EAFIT University. The project aimed to involve young participants in analyzing surveillance data to contribute to local conversations and public policies on security and coexistence in Medellín.

The 2021 Research Sprint of the Edgelands Institute, incubated at the Berkman Klein Center, and the EAFIT University, explored the intersection of security and civic coexistence issues, youth inclusion, and digital surveillance in the city of Medellin with the city's youth.

Magnum Edgelands Medellín, a project undertaken in collaboration with the photographer Peter Van Agtmael, delves into the interplay between observation, technology, and the public sphere, all through the lens of Medellín's streets and surveillance cabins.

The Research Sprints in Edgelands engage local specialists for insights into urban security and digitalization, while fostering collaborative research among participants, mentors, and Edgelanders.

Can urban art find antidotes to urban insecurity? Can experiments in co-living and co-creation shed light on ways to promote coexistence on a wider scale?

Experience a reproducible workshop format that allows us to collectively explore the concepts of security and surveillance through our own perceptions, imaginaries, and personal experiences.

Through collaborative debates and meetings, participants developed comprehensive recommendations and an intersectoral action plan to improve security and coexistence. This transformative initiative fostered trust and empowered citizens to reimagine social dynamics and strengthen their communities.

"Participatory Data Interventions" is a research program that engages citizens and experts in managing security and surveillance data in cities through workshops and dialogue. The program addresses the lack of transparency and promotes informed discussions on digital security practices, emphasizing the importance of citizen involvement and responsible data practices for urban security.

"Magnum x Edgelands Geneva" is a collaborative project between Magnum Photos and the Edgelands Institute, consisting of a series of chapters exploring the intersection of photography, technology, and urban environments.