IMAGINING TRANSITIONS
Designing a Visioning Process for Systemic Urban Sustainability Futures
Dr. İdil Gaziulusoy
Assistant Professor, Sustainable Design
Aalto University
@blindpsykhe
#VP2040!
Dr. Chris Ryan
Professor, Urban Eco-innovation
University of Melbourne
@CRyanChris
#VP2040!
It is now commonly accepted that
to achieve sustainability there is a requirement for
structural, systemic, societal-level transformations which
are known as “system innovations” or “transitions”.
(Raworth, 2012)(Steffen et al., 2015)
SUSTAINABLE RESILIENT JUST
(Ceschin & Gaziulusoy, 2016)
Evolution of
Design for
Sustainability
Field
(Ceschin & Gaziulusoy, 2016)
Palliative
Evolution of
Design for
Sustainability
Field
(Ceschin & Gaziulusoy, 2016)
Palliative
Evolution of
Design for
Sustainability
Field
Design for system innovations and
transitions as an emerging field is
underpinned by complex systems theories
and sustainability science, and it integrates
theories of social and technological system
changes with design theory.
(Irwin, 2015; Gaziulusoy & Brezet, 2015; Ryan,
2008)
Transitions are 3-Fold Design Challenges…
(Gaziulusoy & Ryan, 2017)
Transitions are 3-Fold Design Challenges…
(Gaziulusoy & Ryan, 2017)
Transitions are 3-Fold Design Challenges…
(Gaziulusoy & Ryan, 2017)
conceptualisation of new systems (CREATIVE)
Transitions are 3-Fold Design Challenges…
(Gaziulusoy & Ryan, 2017)
conceptualisation of new systems (CREATIVE)
Transitions are 3-Fold Design Challenges…
(Gaziulusoy & Ryan, 2017)
conceptualisation of new systems (CREATIVE)
selecting, designing and developing new systems
(TECHNICAL)
Transitions are 3-Fold Design Challenges…
(Gaziulusoy & Ryan, 2017)
conceptualisation of new systems (CREATIVE)
selecting, designing and developing new systems
(TECHNICAL)
Transitions are 3-Fold Design Challenges…
(Gaziulusoy & Ryan, 2017)
conceptualisation of new systems (CREATIVE)
selecting, designing and developing new systems
(TECHNICAL)
designing participatory and democratic processes of
deliberation (POLITICAL)
Transitions are 3-Fold Design Challenges…
(Gaziulusoy & Ryan, 2017)
Cities are significant intervention points for transitions because…
Cities are significant intervention points for transitions because…
World’s cities are
responsible for up to 70
per cent of greenhouse
gas emissions while
occupying just 2 per cent
of its land.
(UN Habitat, 2011)
Cities are significant intervention points for transitions because…
World’s cities are
responsible for up to 70
per cent of greenhouse
gas emissions while
occupying just 2 per cent
of its land.
(UN Habitat, 2011)
Cities are gaining power…
The largest 300 cities account for
nearly half (48%) of world
economic output yet contain only
19% of world population.
Some of these cities outperformed
their countries.
(Brookings Institute, 2012)
Cities are significant intervention points for transitions because…
World’s cities are
responsible for up to 70
per cent of greenhouse
gas emissions while
occupying just 2 per cent
of its land.
(UN Habitat, 2011)
Cities are gaining power…
The largest 300 cities account for
nearly half (48%) of world
economic output yet contain only
19% of world population.
Some of these cities outperformed
their countries.
(Brookings Institute, 2012)
Cities are beehives of
creativity and innovation and
play a significant role in social
movements reclaiming
democratic and environmental
rights.
(Bettencourt & West, 2011;
Leichenko, 2011; Arampatzi,
2016; Harmanşah, 2014;
Harvey, 2012)
Cities are significant intervention points for transitions because…
World’s cities are
responsible for up to 70
per cent of greenhouse
gas emissions while
occupying just 2 per cent
of its land.
(UN Habitat, 2011)
Cities are gaining power…
The largest 300 cities account for
nearly half (48%) of world
economic output yet contain only
19% of world population.
Some of these cities outperformed
their countries.
(Brookings Institute, 2012)
Problem
Concentration
Agency Increase Solution Potential
Cities are beehives of
creativity and innovation and
play a significant role in social
movements reclaiming
democratic and environmental
rights.
(Bettencourt & West, 2011;
Leichenko, 2011; Arampatzi,
2016; Harmanşah, 2014;
Harvey, 2012)
Production
Consumption
Communication
Eating
Commuting
Working
Business/
Trade
Innovation
Production
Consumption
Communication
Eating
Commuting
Private space
Working
Infrastructure
Public space
Business/
Trade
Innovation
Production
Consumption
Communication
Eating
Commuting
Private space
Working
Infrastructure
Energy
Water
Transport
Food
Public space
Business/
Trade
Innovation
Production
Consumption
Communication
Eating
Commuting
Private space
Working
Infrastructure
Energy
Water
Transport
Food
Public space
Governance
Business/
Trade
Innovation
Production
Consumption
Communication
Eating
Commuting
Private space
Working
Infrastructure
Energy
Water
Transport
Food
Public space
Governance
Business/
Trade
Cities are complex systems
Innovation
Drivers of Urban Change
(Ryan, Twomey, Gaziulusoy, McGrail & Chandler, 2015)
Drivers of Urban Change
Socio-cultural
new understandings
of well-being
extent & reaction
to inequality
communal modes
of living
values & attitude to
eco-centric lifestyles
attitudes to affluence
entitlement
active lifestyles
Geo-demographic
populationgrowth
increasingdensity
new modesof housingmigration
ageing
population
urban sprawl &infill dynamics
multiple careers
Technological
additive
manufacturing
internet of
things
robotics &
automation
improved energy
storage
advanced artificial
intelligence
new materials
hyperconnectivity
big data
nanotechnology
electric &
self-driving vehicles
green
manufacturing
Environmental
peak oil & other
resource constraints
extreme
weather
urban heat
island effect
rising sea
levels
Economic
public debt
new business models
corporate
responsibility
local
currencies
macro-economic
growth
peer to peer
networks
environmental
market mechanisms
crowd-source
funding
globalisation
independent workers gamification
sharing economy &
collaborative consumption
Political
digital democracy
& gov3.0
civic activities
participatory
governance
micro political
parties
national
policies
global climate
treaties
(Ryan, Twomey, Gaziulusoy, McGrail & Chandler, 2015)
Engagement (Research)
Action (Research)
Design (Research)
Visions, Scenarios and Pathways for Transitioning to Low-carbon Resilient Futures in Australian Cities
Long-term, slow changes
Mainstream practices (business, research, governance, markets)
Niche innovations (new social practices,
technologies, business models etc)
pressure
pressure
Multi-level Model of
System Innovation
(Geels, 2005; Geels & Schot, 2007)
LANDSCAPE
REGIME
NICHE
Design-led Methodology
visions
scenarios
pathways
2014
2015
2016
2013
kick-off
Participatory
Iterative
Creative & Analytical & Integrative
Transdisciplinary
Year
0 1 2
Visioning
Workshops
Melbourne
&
Sydney
“Glimpses
of
the Future”
Prototype
Scenarios
Expert
interviews
Scenarios
Workshop
Adelaide
Scenarios
Stakeholder
conversations
Design
Workshops
Desktop Research
Year
0 1 2
Visioning
Workshops
Melbourne
&
Sydney
“Glimpses
of
the Future”
Prototype
Scenarios
Expert
interviews
Scenarios
Workshop
Adelaide
Scenarios
Stakeholder
conversations
Design
Workshops
Desktop Research
Year
0 1 2
Visioning
Workshops
Melbourne
&
Sydney
“Glimpses
of
the Future”
Prototype
Scenarios
Expert
interviews
Scenarios
Workshop
Adelaide
Scenarios
Stakeholder
conversations
Design
Workshops
Desktop Research
Visioning Workshop Process Design
Visioning Workshop Process Design
Larger context, top-down pressures (“landscape”)
Goals:
Visioning Workshop Process Design
Larger context, top-down pressures (“landscape”)
Capture expert knowledge about city support
systems without losing sight of couplings
Goals:
Visioning Workshop Process Design
Larger context, top-down pressures (“landscape”)
Capture expert knowledge about city support
systems without losing sight of couplings
Goals:
Visioning Workshop Process Design
Larger context, top-down pressures (“landscape”)
Capture expert knowledge about city support
systems without losing sight of couplings
Embed in the visions implications of what’s
currently emerging (“niches”)
Goals:
Visioning Workshop Process Design
Larger context, top-down pressures (“landscape”)
Capture expert knowledge about city support
systems without losing sight of couplings
Embed in the visions implications of what’s
currently emerging (“niches”)
Goals:
Visioning Workshop Process Design
Larger context, top-down pressures (“landscape”)
Capture expert knowledge about city support
systems without losing sight of couplings
Embed in the visions implications of what’s
currently emerging (“niches”)
Embed in the visions causal links to the
present (“regime”)
Goals:
Visioning Workshop Process Design
Larger context, top-down pressures (“landscape”)
Capture expert knowledge about city support
systems without losing sight of couplings
Embed in the visions implications of what’s
currently emerging (“niches”)
Embed in the visions causal links to the
present (“regime”)
Goals:
Visioning Workshop Process Design
Larger context, top-down pressures (“landscape”)
Capture expert knowledge about city support
systems without losing sight of couplings
Embed in the visions implications of what’s
currently emerging (“niches”)
Embed in the visions causal links to the
present (“regime”)
Create systemic visions at different system
levels (products/services/spaces,
neighbourhood, city)
Goals:
Visioning Workshop Process Design
Larger context, top-down pressures (“landscape”)
Capture expert knowledge about city support
systems without losing sight of couplings
Embed in the visions implications of what’s
currently emerging (“niches”)
Embed in the visions causal links to the
present (“regime”)
Create systemic visions at different system
levels (products/services/spaces,
neighbourhood, city)
Goals:
Visioning Workshop Process Design
Larger context, top-down pressures (“landscape”)
Shelter
Food
&
Water
EnergyTransport
Lifestyle/
Behaviour
Room Layout
Shelter
Food
&
Water
EnergyTransport
Lifestyle/
Behaviour
Table Curation
Topic
Commissioned
designer
Niche actor
Regime
actor
Topic expert
Topic expert
Topic expert
Shelter
Food
&
Water
EnergyTransport
Lifestyle/
Behaviour
Process
Topic
Commissioned
designer
Niche actor
Regime
actor
Topic expert
Topic expert
Topic expert
At the beginning…
Shelter
Food
&
Water
EnergyTransport
Lifestyle/
Behaviour
Process
Topic
Commissioned
designer
Niche actor
Regime
actor
Topic expert
Topic expert
Topic expert
At the beginning…
Shelter
Food
&
Water
EnergyTransport
Lifestyle/
Behaviour
Process
Topic
Commissioned
designer
Niche actor
Regime
actor
Topic expert
Topic expert
Topic expert
At the beginning…
Round 1: 45’
Shelter
Food
&
Water
EnergyTransport
Lifestyle/
Behaviour
Process
Topic
Commissioned
designer
Niche actor
Regime
actor
Topic expert
Topic expert
Topic expert
At the beginning…
Round 1: 45’
Round 2: 25’
Shelter
Food
&
Water
EnergyTransport
Lifestyle/
Behaviour
Process
Topic
Commissioned
designer
Niche actor
Regime
actor
Topic expert
Topic expert
Topic expert
At the beginning…
Round 1: 45’
Round 2: 25’
Round 3-5: 20’
Shelter
Food
&
Water
EnergyTransport
Lifestyle/
Behaviour
Melbourne
Shelter
Food
&
Water
EnergyTransport
Lifestyle/
Behaviour
Melbourne
Shelter
Food
&
Water
EnergyTransport
Lifestyle/
Behaviour
Melbourne
Table facilitator
Shelter
Food
&
Water
EnergyTransport
Lifestyle/
Behaviour
Sydney
Shelter
Food
&
Water
EnergyTransport
Lifestyle/
Behaviour
Sydney
Shelter
Food
&
Water
EnergyTransport
Lifestyle/
Behaviour
Sydney
Researcher
Reflections
Capture expert knowledge about city support
systems without losing sight of couplings
Embed in the visions implications of what’s
currently emerging (“niches”)
Embed in the visions causal links to the
present (“regime”)
Create systemic visions at different system
levels (products/services/spaces,
neighbourhood, city)
Goals:
Reflections
Capture expert knowledge about city support
systems without losing sight of couplings
Embed in the visions implications of what’s
currently emerging (“niches”)
Embed in the visions causal links to the
present (“regime”)
Create systemic visions at different system
levels (products/services/spaces,
neighbourhood, city)
Goals:
Reflections
Achieved
Partially Achieved
Not Achieved
Capture expert knowledge about city support
systems without losing sight of couplings
Embed in the visions implications of what’s
currently emerging (“niches”)
Embed in the visions causal links to the
present (“regime”)
Create systemic visions at different system
levels (products/services/spaces,
neighbourhood, city)
Goals:
Reflections
Achieved
Partially Achieved
Not Achieved
Capture expert knowledge about city support
systems without losing sight of couplings
Embed in the visions implications of what’s
currently emerging (“niches”)
Embed in the visions causal links to the
present (“regime”)
Create systemic visions at different system
levels (products/services/spaces,
neighbourhood, city)
Goals:
Reflections
Achieved
Partially Achieved
Not Achieved
Capture expert knowledge about city support
systems without losing sight of couplings
Embed in the visions implications of what’s
currently emerging (“niches”)
Embed in the visions causal links to the
present (“regime”)
Create systemic visions at different system
levels (products/services/spaces,
neighbourhood, city)
Goals:
Reflections
Achieved
Partially Achieved
Not Achieved
Capture expert knowledge about city support
systems without losing sight of couplings
Embed in the visions implications of what’s
currently emerging (“niches”)
Embed in the visions causal links to the
present (“regime”)
Create systemic visions at different system
levels (products/services/spaces,
neighbourhood, city)
Goals:
Reflections
Achieved
Partially Achieved
Not Achieved
Reflections
Topic
Commissioned
designer
Niche actor
Topic expert
Topic expert
Topic expert
Designers were key in achieving systemic integration
Regime
actor
Reflections
Topic
Commissioned
designer
Niche actor
Topic expert
Topic expert
Topic expert
Designers were key in achieving systemic integration
Regime
actor
Reflections
Topic
Commissioned
designer
Niche actor
Topic expert
Topic expert
Topic expert
Designers were key in achieving systemic integration
Diversity of disciplinary background was important
Regime
actor
Next time
Topic
Commissioned
designer
Niche actor
Topic expert
Topic expert
Topic expert
Regime
actor
Next time
Topic
Commissioned
designer
Niche actor
Topic expert
Topic expert
Topic expert
Regime
actor
Next time
Topic
Commissioned
designer
Niche actor
Topic expert
Topic expert
Topic expert
Double the size of designer team
Regime
actor
Next time
Topic
Commissioned
designer
Niche actor
Topic expert
Topic expert
Topic expert
Double the size of designer team
More niche actors
Regime
actor
Next time
Topic
Commissioned
designer
Niche actor
Topic expert
Topic expert
Topic expert
Double the size of designer team
More niche actors
Regime
actor
Two topics each table
Next time
Topic
Commissioned
designer
Niche actor
Topic expert
Topic expert
Topic expert
Double the size of designer team
More niche actors
Regime
actor
Two topics each table
“Plausibility” is not a relevant goal - find
ways to convince stakeholders they’re not
wasting their money
@blindpsykhe
#VP2040!
Thank You!

Gaziulusoy ryan