Developing a Django-Based Whistleblower App for Anonymous Reporting of Environmental Violations; Exploring and Balancing Efficiency, Equity, and Ethics of AI-Driven Parking Systems in Urban Mobility

This thesis portfolio presents two distinct yet thematically connected investigations that integrate technological innovation with ethical design. For my technical report, I discussed the details of developing a Django-based web application that enables users to anonymously report environmental violations. The platform employs a PostgreSQL backend and cloud deployment for accessibility and security. This technical solution demonstrates how software engineering can be harnessed to empower civic engagement and environmental justice through anonymity, usability, and transparency. For my research paper, I explore the ethical and operational tensions in AI-driven parking systems within smart cities. Through a literature review and a case study analysis of San Francisco’s AI parking initiatives using Verbeek’s technological mediation framework, the research identifies a gap between efficiency gains and public trust. In response, I propose the Urban Parking Ethics Framework, a design-centered governance model structured around three pillars: Transparent Data Stewardship, Equity-Driven Algorithm Oversight, and User-Centered System Design. This framework emphasizes real-time data anonymization, equitable access audits, and participatory feedback systems, arguing that ethical considerations must be embedded into AI system architecture from the outset. Together, they underscore a broader imperative: technology must not only optimize outcomes but also reflect human values and societal equity.