Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
261581 | Design Studies | 2012 | 20 Pages |
This paper introduces an innovative pilot project where an alternative system of sanitation to capture, treat and reuse urine in agricultural trials is being undertaken in a university setting. The paper outlines the emerging theory and practise of Transition Management (TM) and identifies a lack of attention to the end-user in transition experiments to date. This project situates design as a core component in the social process of transitioning to a novel system of sanitation. Students across two design schools developed visual prototypes to introduce the project to the target audiences, which were tested during a pre-pilot installation. Initial results support the guiding hypothesis that design has a critical role to play in facilitating social learning in system innovation.
► We identify a lack of attention to the end-user in sanitation transition experiments to date. ► Social learning plays an important role in system innovation, where end-user engagement is a critical factor. ► Involving design in transdisciplinary research helps to support the social learning of multiple stakeholders. ► Design can facilitate social learning in transition experiments where end-user engagement is a critical factor.