How the design of socio-technical experiments can enable radical changes for sustainability

Sustainability requires radical innovations, but their introduction and diffusion usually encounter the opposition of existing socio-technical regimes. An important challenge is, therefore, to understand how to catalyse and support the process of transitioning towards these innovations. Building upon insights from transition studies (in particular the concepts of Strategic Niche Management and Transition Management), and through an action research project (aimed at designing, introducing and diffusing a sustainable mobility system in the suburban areas of Cape Town), the paper investigates the role of design in triggering and orienting societal transformations. A key role is given to the implementation of socio-technical experiments. A new socio-technical system design role emerges: a role in which the ideation and development of sustainable innovation concepts is coupled with the designing of appropriate transition paths to gradually incubate, introduce and diffuse these concepts

The Social Capital of Cohousing Communities

This article aims to discuss the possibility that cohousing communities might combine both civil engagement and governance systems in order to simultaneously generate three forms of social capital: bonding, bridging, and linking social capitals. Cohousing communities intend to create a ‘self-sufficient micro-cosmos’, but struggle against the relationships of ‘anonymous’ neighbourhood. Cohousers build their bonding social capital through the creation of a supportive (formal and informal) network within the community; while at the same time they develop bridging social capital when they try to integrate with the wider context, by organizing activities and making available spaces towards the outside. Finally, when cohousers try to collaborate with external partners (e.g. non-profit organizations and public institutions) they build linking social capital in relation to the ideas, information and advantages obtained through the collaboration with these institutions

Promoting Healthy Aging through Transportable Accessory Dwelling Unit Communities.

D.Arch. Thesis. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa 2017

Healthy built environments: A review of the literature

The Healthy Built Environments Program has completed a major scholarly literature review examining the role of the built environment in supporting human health as part of everyday living. The principal aim of the Review is to establish an evidence base that supports the development, prioritisation and implementation of healthy built environment policies and practices. The Review identifies current gaps in the evidence to inform future research directions. It includes an annotated bibliography of key research articles and a glossary of terms to assist practitioners, policy makers and researchers working in this interdisciplinary realm.  The focus of the Review is on the three key built environment domains that support human health: The Built Environment and Getting People Active. The Built Environment and Connecting and Strengthening Communities. The Built Environment and Providing Healthy Food Options. These built environment domains address three of the major risk factors for contemporary chronic disease - physical inactivity, social isolation and obesity. The Literature Review is available for download as the whole document or its individual sections. Whole document (12MB) Cover and Acknowledgements (1.11MB)List of Abbreviations and Contents (2.11MB)The Healthy Built Environments Program Overview (291KB)Executive Summary (295KB)1.0 Introduction (255KB)2.0 Structure of this Review (2.46MB)3.0 Aims and Parameters (2.99MB)4.0 Scope and Methodology (3.20MB)5.0 The Evidence (200KB)5.1 The Built Environment and Getting People Active (653KB)5.2 The Built Environment and Connecting and Strengthening Communities (546KB)5.3 The Built Environment and Providing Healthy Food Options (416KB)6.0 Professional Development (284KB)7.0 Conclusion (114KB)References (490KB)Appendix 1: Diary of Database Searches (202KB)Appendix 2: Glossary (282KB)Appendix 3: Annotated Bibliography (2.57MB

Human experience in the natural and built environment : implications for research policy and practice

22nd IAPS conference. Edited book of abstracts. 427 pp. University of Strathclyde, Sheffield and West of Scotland Publication. ISBN: 978-0-94-764988-3

Rethinking Suburban Governance in the CEE Region: A Comparison of Two Municipalities in Poland and Lithuania

In this article, we seek to analyse and compare the modalities of suburban governance in Polish and Lithuanian municipalities looking at the territorial development trends typical for the Central Eastern Europe region. The theoretical elaborations on suburban governance are evolving towards the analysis of constellations of diverse actors, institutions and processes that define the politics and design of suburban spaces. We assume that there are similarities and differences in suburban governance in the analysed localities compared to Western countries in terms of networks, actors and territorialisation of local politics. Despite both suburban municipalities showing similarities in suburban development patterns (growing middle-class population, economic capital accumulation, suburban sprawl and interconnectedness with the metropolitan zone), the analysis reveals the main differences in terms of composition and importance of horizontal and vertical networks, the role of local stakeholders and collective action. The article concludes that both localities represent a specific approach to suburban governance marked by low stakeholders’ participation, dependence on the top down vertical state and regional networks and the creation of urban-suburban policies within metropolitan areas

Community Context: Influence and Implications for School Leadership Preparation

Effective K-12 leaders remain a central concern for schools and communities of all types. The purpose of this research is to examine critically the literature on issues facing leaders in rural and urban settings and present a synthesis of cross-cutting themes. The authors reviewed the theoretical and empirical literature on K-12 leadership issues in rural settings and in urban settings published between 2013-2018 in ten journals. An examination of the similarities and differences facing leaders in these settings in the United States and a discussion of the implications for leadership preparation programs is provided. Future research directions to guide the study of K-12 leadership are also discussed

Designing for Multigenerational Community: Creating a Supportive Environment for Young and Old in the U.S.A.

It is well-known that many countries face tremendous challenges triggered by the aging of their population. The increasing percentage of the population that is reaching or at retirement age and rising life expectancy have brought about increasing multigenerativity, a new social phenomenon, when different generations live at the same time longer (Höpflinger, F., 2008). These demographic changes will be complemented with socio-cultural transformations, such as changing the perception of old age, the decrease in traditional multigenerational extended families living together and the growing conditions of multi-locational families. These undergoing changes significantly impact all niches of society: labor markets and social policy, healthcare systems, as well as design and urban planning. So, a crucial question today is how are young and old generations going to coexist in times of a scarcity resources and an increasing imbalance between the number of elderly and the number of people in generations below them. A constantly growing body of available models for housing and delivering healthcare and supportive services to the elderly are based primarily on an age-segregative approach (such as skilled nursing home, assisted living, a retirement community, board and care housing, etc.). As a result, existing living environments represent mostly a homogeneous milieu, where the elderly are physically and socially isolated from the rest of the community (Peace, S. M., 2001, p.195). This thesis proposes to explore planning and design strategies that create an inclusive environment for the elderly, supporting “aging in place” whereas, mixed-age (or age-integrated) strategies are targeted for the physical integration of various generations for mutual support and self-help. The mixed-age approach is embodied in a model of a multigenerational community, a residential arrangement for young and old. This thesis claims that a multigenerational community could be a viable alternative solution to traditional age-specific care housing and care models or isolated living in a private house. The aim of this research is to define design strategies as tools for creating a community for old and young generations in the U.S, and apply them through the development of a conceptual project. Seven imperative guidelines were developed based on a literature review and analysis of the best design practices of multigenerational communities in the U.S. and Europe. These design strategies were applied to a conceptual design of a multigenerational community in Greenville South Carolina. The project presents a unique symbiosis of healthcare, residential and mixed-use environment, suitable for every stage of life. It includes an ambulatory clinic that serves all ages, a community café, co-working space, a day-care and other communal facilities that form essential features of this community together with contiguous outside spaces that create beneficial and supportive milieu for everyone

Green Vertical Neighborhood (studi su quartiere verticale verde a tipologi residentiali verticali)

Designing the green vertical neighborhood or green vertical community has come up to be investigated not so long ago. In an integrated research project I tried to study and develop the concept of green neighborhood narrowly in vertical orientation. Fundamentally residential buildings and high rise residential buildings have been set as the vehicles for this research. Having established a pragmatic framework I took into account the meaning and definitions around many terms like green movements, dwelling, residential building, high rise building, neighborhood, responsive environment and sustainability. The background and theoretical studies have been considered historically and the different points of view have been distinguished accurately. Naturally the scale of neighborhood unit studies varies through macro (urban), mid (district) and micro (architecture).Several similar case studies around the world have been set to be analyzed according to the research process goals and finally these case studies built the ultimate outcomes. Consequently an integrated sustainable model of green vertical neighborhood guidelines is offered based on the theory of Ken Yeang about green vertical building design. Pushing forward the previous model of Yeang’ theory and setting a new critical framework in order to Improve the life quality in residential buildings regarding the responsive guidelines of green vertical neighborhood for high rise buildings is the main goal of this research