SeaShare
Basic information
Project Title
Category
Project Description
SeaShare is a service that aims to bridge between biodiversity preservation and the demand by tourists of clean and enjoyable seaside. It is based on the concept of sharing economy: users can rent eco-friendly beach equipment (tents, sunbeds) through a mobile app just for the time that they need to. SeaShare users are part of the ecosystem: they can participate to clean-up events in exchange for discounts and other benefits, with the aim of creating a vivid community and helping environment.
Geographical Scope
Project Region
Urban or rural issues
Physical or other transformations
EU Programme or fund
Which funds
Description of the project
Summary
Bathers can use the service just by downloading the mobile app and signing up. They can book physical facilities on site depending on the number of people and the time they want to spend at the seaside. There are various bundles suited for different needs.
Starting from the booked time, to each user is assigned a cabinet in which they can find the bundle they requested for and start to use it. At the end of the booking, users are requested to put everything inside the cabinet and confirm the return in the app.
In case of missed return, users are charged via payment information provided earlier. In case of delayed return, they will receive a sanction and the next user will receive a discount.
In the app there’s a section dedicated to marine environment protection events held in the seaside.
Each user can contribute to biodiversity preservation by taking part in volunteering activities in exchange for offers and discounts; everything is tracked and stored in the user’s account.
A smart recycling bin is installed at the SeaShare beach and allows users to recycle waste fast and easily. By using this bin, users can get booking discounts in their account.
Key objectives for sustainability
As the concepts of eco-sustainability and biodiversity have become increasingly important, several measures, including in the marine and coastal context, have become necessary to implement significant changes. Therefore, we firmly believe that reintroducing a new natural beach ideal, accessible to all, and disseminating targeted and appropriate information can positively influence the current thinking model, empowering people towards a respectful attitude towards the ecosystem. SeaShare is a project whose real potential is to change people’s bad habits and encourage research and the creation of new materials.
We selected natural materials in order to be more sustainable and give users the feel of a natural, untouched environment. Each bundle consists in a mixture of these items:
- Multifunctional cushion, consisting of a solution of wax and starch, hemp fabric, leaves of Posidonia oceanica and a rigid cork support. The goal is to offer room to the users for resting and at the same time, when the cushion is folded, to have a rigid surface where to place objects.
- Beach tent, solution of wax and starch, with hemp fabric, with jute ropes and aluminum sticks. It is designed to offer users ample shelter from the sun’s rays.
- Cabinets, made of wood and metal components. These reduce the waste of wood still usable and makes our beach unique.
- Mat, created with a solution of wax and starch and with jute fabric. This reduces the phenomenon of coastal erosion by avoiding sand to stick on users’ beach towels.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
Our project’s aesthetic is heavily rooted in natural and marine environment. We used materials such as hemp fabric, wood, jute and cork both for reducing environmental impact and for giving users an experience closer to natural values. This is motivated by the fact that, in our opinion, modern bathing facilities are way too far from an appropriate look and aesthetic that would suit the beach context.
Colors such as blue and green are used too, in order to recall the ones of the sea and Posidonia oceanica.
Key objectives for inclusion
One of the highlights of SeaShare is inclusion: people who spend their time in SeaShare beaches are responsible for cleaning it as well as maintaining the recreational facilities, hence giving a great contribution to the preservation of local biodiversity.
This activity takes place thanks to the events organized in collaboration with associations whose aim is to protect ecosystems. These events and activities are open to everyone: children and adults, or elderly people.
The beach system also guarantees accessibility to everybody thanks to wooden walkways that allow the passage and the stop of wheelchairs and strollers.
Among the objectives, there is also the sense of community and belongingness to the world.
Physical or other transformations
Innovative character
These three dimensions join together by creating a unique, never-seen before bathing experience.
The intent is to enrich the experience offered by the free beach and complete it, making it a place for sharing where biodiversity is protected thanks to the low environmental impact structures and a proposal for a circular and sustainable business model.
To use the KIT, users must download the SeaShare application and register.
Then they choose the most suitable type of package, for which day and for how many hours.
While searching for the beach, users can easily locate it: the cabinets that contain the equipment are made from disused boats. The latter have all the original characteristics, so they are waterproof and resistant to salt.
Arriving at the entrance to the beach there is an infopoint attended by a person who offers assistance in case there are problems with reservations or equipment.
When the booking time arrives, the rental button on the application unlocks, they are assigned a cabin that is unlocked from the application by scanning the QR code. From the moment of unlocking, the counting of hours is started.
Users can then take their equipment and go to the beach; what makes them really excited is the fact that they can settle wherever they want, the facilities are comfortable and can be used in multiple ways.
At the end of the booking time, everything that has been rented must be returned and placed in the cabinets. Putting the equipment back in its place and confirming delivery via the app is the only way to avoid incurring penalties due to delayed storage.
To prevent incidents of damage or delay in delivery, we have also considered it appropriate to draw up a list of penalties which vary according to the type of infringement.
