Public Engagement and Accessibility
The Renewing Inequality project’s approach to public engagement and accessibility aligns with Lisa Spiro’s positive view of digital humanities as outlined in her essay, “This Is Why We Fight: Defining the Values of the Digital Humanities.” Spiro argues that making scholarship accessible to the public is a core value of digital humanities, as it democratizes knowledge and fosters a more informed public (Spiro, 2012). Through its interactive maps and data visualizations, the project allows scholars, students, and the general public to explore the complex impacts of urban renewal policies, reinforcing Spiro’s stance on accessibility as both an ethical imperative and a tool for social engagement. This approach not only educates users but also provides a platform for discussions on social justice and historical accountability, core themes that Spiro advocates in her call for open access and engagement in digital humanities.
Historical Preservation and Accessibility
The Renewing Inequality project embodies the digital humanities value of historical preservation and accessibility, documenting the effects of urban renewal policies on marginalized communities and making this information widely accessible. This approach not only preserves the historical record but also promotes transparency, enabling public reflection and potentially influencing policy change. Lisa Spiro’s essay, “This Is Why We Fight: Defining the Values of the Digital Humanities,” supports this perspective, highlighting accessibility as a crucial goal in digital humanities projects to cause a transformation in knowledge and promote social justice by shedding light on overlooked histories.
Digital Scholarship Lab, “Renewing Inequality,” American Panorama
, ed. Robert K. Nelson and Edward L. Ayers, accessed November 6, 2024, https://dsl.richmond.edu/panorama/renewal/#view=-684.03/-79/1.62&viz=cartogram&city=philadelphiaPA&loc=13/39.9508/-75.1675.
Spiro, L. (2012). “This is why we fight”: Defining the values of the digital humanities. In M. K. Gold (Ed.), Debates in the Digital Humanities. University of Minnesota Press. https://dhdebates.gc.cuny.edu/read/untitled-88c11800-9446-469b-a3be-3fdb36bfbd1e/section/9e014167-c688-43ab-8b12-0f6746095335