wp2 / DC7

Materialising, visualising and prototyping opportunities and dilemmas to address social conflicts around climate transitions

This research addresses two questions:
1. How can material, public interventions help achieve consensus in diverse local communities to enhance adaptation to climate change in the urban context of Warsaw?
2. What are the characteristics of an effective interdisciplinary approach for enhancing democratic participation in climate change adaptation through urban interventions?

The methodology for the first question is constructive design research. This approach offers a structured system for deriving social, cultural and material sensitivities from design practice, especially making, testing and modifying prototypes. In this method, prototypes play the role of research tools, allowing to conclude of both practical and theoretical nature. The methodology for the second question is a case study of the process of making the intervention designed and tested in Warsaw. The methods are based on practitioner concepts, combining ethnographic notes, field notes from the design and evaluation process, designers-evaluators discussion sessions and workshops.

University of the Arts London (UK) (3 months) to develop and test creative design approaches in the context of local government activity to engage citizens in addressing climate transitions.
City Council of Warsaw (Poland) (6 months) with a mentor to share, test and validate visual or media prototypes developed through practice research within a citizen engagement project activity as part of the city’s transitions related activities.