Ann Maria Antony

CityWatch
Problem Statement:
In many neighborhoods, it's hard for people to report problems like potholes or broken streetlights. The usual ways to report these issues are slow and confusing, so things don't get fixed quickly. We need simple digital tools that help people report problems easily and talk directly to the right people who can fix them. Even though apps like these already do exist they have poor functionalities and complaints regarding the working of the current applications.

Solution Statement:
Our app makes it easy for citizens to report civic issues like potholes or dysfunctional streetlights, plastic waste piles etc by registering an online complain via the app. The app then checks if a particular issue is concerning if it crosses a certain threshold value for a particular complaint and informs the authorities and then the complaint can be further elevated. Our app fosters collaboration between citizens who can upvote and sign online petitions and then inform the local governments, creating more responsive and engaged communities. Users can also pinpoint the exact location of the complaint using the map feature.

Implementation Steps
Step 1: User Reporting Interface
Implementation: Develop a user-friendly interface in the mobile application for users to report civic issues using React Native for frontend development.
Tech Stack: React Native

Step 2: Backend Setup
Implementation: Set up a backend server using Node.js and Express.js to handle user submissions, store data, and interact with the database.
Tech Stack: Node.js, Express.js

Step 3: Database Integration
Implementation: Integrate MongoDB or PostgreSQL as the database to store user submissions, issue details, and feedback.
Tech Stack: MongoDB or PostgreSQL

Step 4: User Authentication
Implementation: Implement user authentication using JWT (JSON Web Tokens) to secure user accounts and ensure data privacy.
Tech Stack: JWT

Step 5: Issue Tracking and Notification
Implementation: Develop functionality to track submitted issues and notify relevant authorities in real-time using Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM).
Tech Stack: FCM

Step 6: Status Tracking & Community Engagement
Implementation: Implement a status tracking system within the app for users to monitor the progress of their reported issues.
Tech Stack: React Native

Step 7: Upvoting Feature
Implementation: Develop functionality for users to upvote complaints within the mobile application. Each complaint should have an associated upvote count.
Tech Stack: React Native, Node.js, Express.js, MongoDB or PostgreSQL

Step 8: Threshold Check
Implementation: Implement a mechanism on the backend to periodically check the upvote count of each complaint. If a complaint's upvote count exceeds a predefined threshold, mark the complaint as elevated.
Tech Stack: Node.js, Express.js, MongoDB or PostgreSQL

Step 9: Automatic Notification
Implementation: Develop functionality to automatically notify relevant authorities when a complaint is elevated due to reaching the upvote threshold using Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) for real-time notifications.
Tech Stack: Node.js, Express.js, FCM

Step 10: Authority Notification
Implementation: Integrate a notification system within the backend to send notifications to the appropriate authorities or departments responsible for addressing elevated complaints.
Tech Stack: Node.js, Express.js, FCM

Step 11: Elevated Complaint Handling
Implementation: Develop a special handling process for elevated complaints within the backend to ensure they receive priority attention from authorities.
Tech Stack: Node.js, Express.js

Step 12: Map Integration
Implementation: Integrate Mapbox into the mobile application to provide a mapping solution for users to select and pinpoint the exact location of reported civic issues.
Tech Stack: Mapbox SDK for React Native

Relevance in Today's World
Our app simplifies civic engagement by allowing users to report issues like potholes, dysfunctional streetlights, and plastic waste piles. Through streamlined communication with authorities and collaborative features like upvoting and petitions, citizens can take immediate action to improve their communities. This fosters responsiveness in governance, enhances public safety, promotes environmental conservation, and strengthens community cohesion.
Activity Diagram