Communication Asset Mapping: An Ecological Field Application Toward Building Healthy Communities

Authors

  • George Villanueva Loyola University Chicago
  • Garrett M. Broad Department of Communication and Media Studies, Fordham University
  • Carmen Gonzalez Department of Communication, University of Washington
  • Sandra Ball-Rokeach Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, University of Southern California
  • Sheila Murphy University of Southern California

Keywords:

communication asset mapping, participatory research, healthy communities, engaged scholarship, communication infrastructure, space, and place

Abstract

Guided by an integrated theoretical approach combining communication infrastructure theory with methods of assets-oriented community field mapping, this study reports the findings of an engaged scholarship project we term communication asset mapping (CAM). Ecological in orientation and participatory in practice, CAM represents a tool for analyzing urban spaces’ potential as mediums for building healthy communities. This article offers two case studies from different low-income neighborhoods in Los Angeles, the first a researcher-directed CAM application and the second undertaken in collaboration with community health promotion workers. Both offer insights for researchers and practitioners interested in the intersecting roles of communication and place in creating positive community change.

Author Biographies

George Villanueva, Loyola University Chicago

Assistant ProfessorSchool of CommunicationLoyola University Chicago312.915.8536

Garrett M. Broad, Department of Communication and Media Studies, Fordham University

Assistant ProfessorDepartment of Communication and Media StudiesFordham University718-817-4850

Carmen Gonzalez, Department of Communication, University of Washington

Assistant ProfessorDepartment of CommunicationUniversity of Washington(206) 543-2660

Sandra Ball-Rokeach, Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, University of Southern California

ProfessorAnnenberg School for Communication and Journalism, University of Southern California213-740-0912

Sheila Murphy, University of Southern California

ProfessorAnnenberg School for Communication and Journalism, University of Southern California213-740-0945

Downloads

Published

2016-05-25

Issue

Section

Articles