Short Abstract

This Making & Doing workshop uses a physicalization toolkit to explore socio-ecological criteria in urban development projects. By interacting with tangible wooden elements, participants co-produce networks and negotiate conflicts between criteria like affordability and green space.

Description

This Making & Doing participatory workshop explores the complexity of socio-ecological criteria in the context of urban design and planning, particularly in relation to urban densification. Building on a collaboration between STS and HCI researchers, we developed a tangible method using physicalization to discuss planning criteria and their inherent conflicts. Urban densification is a key strategy for sustainable development, intensifying existing use rather than growing cities outward. However, the different solutions for densification are more than technical processes or mere added quantities to the existing density. Densification presents a conflictual nexus of socio-ecological issues affecting numerous human and more-than-human actors. The central question is how design and planning can mediate competition for space among different uses, needs, and actors. Current design technologies and visualization techniques often fail to address these relational, qualitative aspects. In an iterative, participatory design-based approach, we developed a node-link visualization technique using wooden elements that enables different actors (e.g., planners, residents) to construct networks of densification criteria and their interdependencies. The developed physicalization method addresses common shortcomings regarding visualization literacy, serving as a boundary object for collaborative planning and the co-production of knowledge between STS, other academic fields, and local actors.

Our proposed workshop comprises three parts: (1) Introduction to research scope and toolkit (alternatively: demo/poster at M&D exhibition); (2) Implementation by participants; (3) Group presentations and reflection. The workshop is designed for 2,5 hours but can be shortened.

Participants will apply the physicalization approach to a planning project in Kraków (identified by convenors), negotiating potential synergies and conflicts between criteria such as affordability and green space. This hands-on workshop allows participants to concretize what-if scenarios of just urban futures.

Practical requirements: Designed for around 15 participants, a room with adjustable tables, and a projector. We will provide all other materials.