# Online Urban Activism Platforms Brickstarter is a Web Service Connecting Activists and Bureaucracy By Rebecca Byers | Published 2012-08-08 | Social Good Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brickstarter References: [wired](http://www.wired.com/design/2012/08/brickstarter-for-neighborhood-projects/) & [brickstarter.org](http://brickstarter.org/) Brickstarter is a web service aimed at enabling [crowdsourced urban activism](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/clean-something-for-nothing) online. Brickstarter is quite like [Kickstarter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brick-my-world) but with sustainable design in mind and a “think globally, act locally” attitude. Created by Sitra, the Finnish Innovation Fund, Brickstarter endeavors to organize community action in order to take care of projects ranging from mowing the lawn of a public park to adding street furniture, what they consider essential to ensuring “healthy 21st century cities.” The [social media service](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/citizen-engagement-platform), still a prototype with plans to launch later this year, connects activists, the community and city services to collaborate on the urban fabric of their neighborhoods. The service’s connection to bureaucracy will also make getting the right permits and talking to the right people a much easier task for activists. **Contact Information** Brickstarter [website](http://brickstarter.org) ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.8/10 - Popularity: 49% | Activity: 58% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Social Good](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialgood) > [Activism](https://www.trendhunter.com/activism) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Crowdsourced Urban Activism:** Crowdsourcing platforms like Brickstarter are enabling communities to collaborate on urban projects and take action locally. - **Sustainable Design:** Brickstarter is focusing on sustainable design to ensure the development of healthy 21st century cities. - **Streamlining Bureaucracy:** Platforms like Brickstarter are disrupting the traditional bureaucratic processes by making it easier for activists to obtain necessary permits and connect with the right people. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Urban Planning:** The urban planning industry can benefit from the use of crowdsourcing platforms like Brickstarter to engage communities and implement sustainable design in cities. - **Social Media:** The social media industry can explore opportunities to develop similar platforms that connect activists, communities, and city services to collaborate on local projects. - **Government Services:** Government agencies can adopt technological solutions like Brickstarter to streamline bureaucratic processes and enhance citizen engagement in urban development projects. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Toy Brick Organizing Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lego-fans.md) - [Lego-Centric Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brick-my-world.md) - [Crowdfunding Feedback Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/feedfund.md) - [Activism-Fostering Investment Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/investment-platforms.md) - [Urban Greening Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/urban-green.md) - [Crowdfunding Platform Improvements](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kickstarter-2025.md) - [City Exploration Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/social-exploration-app.md) - [Urban Climate Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/climate-tech-cities.md) - [Upgraded Crowdfunding Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kickstarter-late-pledges.md)