NeighborAid Emergency Preparedness
Tech Stack
A neighborhood coordination platform that helps communities prepare for emergencies by mapping available resources, connecting neighbors, and facilitating resource sharing.
Overview
NeighborAid empowers communities to be self-sufficient during emergencies by creating a network of shared resources and mutual aid.
The Problem
During natural disasters, neighbors often don't know what resources are available nearby or how to coordinate effectively.
The Solution
Built a secure platform with geographic mapping, resource inventory, and neighbor profiles to facilitate emergency preparedness and response.
Key Challenges & Solutions
1HTTPS Configuration
Challenge
Needed secure connections for sensitive neighbor data but unfamiliar with SSL/TLS setup.
Solution
Learned about Let's Encrypt, configured nginx as reverse proxy, and automated certificate renewal.
2Geographic Data Modeling
Challenge
Efficiently querying nearby resources based on location was complex.
Solution
Implemented spatial indexing in MySQL and used Leaflet.js for interactive mapping.
Key Learnings
- Web security best practices (HTTPS, data encryption)
- Geographic information systems (GIS) basics
- Community-focused product design
- Accessibility considerations for diverse users
Key Features
- Interactive neighborhood resource mapping
- Member profiles with skill/resource listings
- Secure messaging between neighbors
- Emergency alert system
- Resource sharing coordination
Project Impact
Media & Screenshots
Interactive resource map view
User profile and resource management