Design as a strategic tool for sustainability in northern and arctic contexts : case study of the arctic design concept in Finland

Globally, design is increasingly being perceived as a strategic tool for community development, well-being and innovation, both in theory and in practice. In the last few years, Finland has brought this notion to its northernmost regions through their emerging Arctic Design concept. While the concept has gained a lot of momentum, it remains, at this time, mostly Finnish-bound. Through a case study methodology, this thesis examines the ideas and visions underlying the concept of Arctic Design, and assesses its relevance for other northern regions, and in particular the province of Quebec, Canada. The data was collected through semi-directed interviews, conducted in northern Finland with leading actors involved in the concept’s strategic development. The theoretical framework employed draws on the perspectives of strategic design, sustainable design, and Nordicity (Hamelin, 1975). This study shows that design professionals are increasingly acting as key members within transdisciplinary projects and strategic areas, in order to address complex issues related to policy-making and broader societal change. This, in turn, opens up new avenues for both design practice and research in the topic of “northern design”. In particular, these findings suggest that design could play new roles in addressing northern and Arctic issues, by acknowledging local specificities (i.e. climates, socio-political frameworks, cultures) and allow the development of place-based solutions. By doing so, the province of Quebec could better use design as a catalyst of transitions towards sustainable futures among all its communities.À l’échelle mondiale, le design est perçu de plus en plus comme un outil stratégique pour le développement communautaire, le bien-être et l'innovation, tant au plan pratique que théorique. Au cours des dernières années, la Finlande a décidé d’introduire cette notion dans ses régions les plus septentrionales en développant le concept d’Arctic Design. Bien que le concept se soit beaucoup développé, il demeure, pour le moment, essentiellement limité à la Finlande. À l'aide d'une méthodologie d'étude de cas, ce mémoire examine les idées et les visions qui sous-tendent ce concept et évalue sa pertinence pour les autres régions nordiques, en particulier la province de Québec. Les données de cette étude sont constituées d’entretiens semi-dirigés, menés dans le Nord de la Finlande avec les principaux acteurs impliqués dans le développement stratégique du concept. Le cadre théorique utilisé ici s'inspire des perspectives du design stratégique, du design durable et de la Nordicité (Hamelin, 1975). Cette étude démontre que les professionnels en design peuvent occuper un rôle clé au sein de projets transdisciplinaires et de secteurs stratégiques, afin d’aborder des enjeux complexes concernant l'élaboration de politiques et des changements sociétaux plus profonds. Ceci ouvre de nouvelles avenues en design pour la pratique et la recherche en « design nordique » . Plus spécifiquement, ces résultats suggèrent que le design peut jouer un nouveau rôle dans la résolution des enjeux nordiques et Arctiques, en reconnaissant les spécificités locales (climats, contextes sociopolitiques et culturels) et permettre le développement de solutions adaptées au milieu. Ce faisant, le contexte québécois pourrait mieux utiliser le design comme catalyseur de changements vers un avenir durable pour l’ensemble de ses communautés

Knowledge plurality for greater university-community permeability:Experiences in art and design from fieldwork

By relating the authors’ experiences in the field with institutions and within indigenous communities, this chapter argues that knowledge plurality is required for greater university-community permeability, reciprocity and transformation, and that design can be a space to do so. When addressing the research obstacles, the authors are trying to highlight how collaboration can be a relationship with different levels and how addressing those obstacles within the university only makes the process of community empowerment easier.By relating the authors’ experiences in the field with institutions and within indigenouscommunities, this chapter argues that knowledge plurality is required forgreater university-community permeability, reciprocity and transformation, andthat design can be a space to do so. When addressing the research obstacles,the authors are trying to highlight how collaboration can be a relationshipwith different levels and how addressing those obstacles within the universityonly makes the process of community empowerment easier