Future in Place : Participatory Future Scenario Planning for Local Policymaking

Newton, Radka and Rindt, Jekaterina and Calvo, Mirian (2024) Future in Place : Participatory Future Scenario Planning for Local Policymaking. In: DRS2024 Boston: Design Research Society Conference 2024 :. DRS2024 Boston: Design Research Society Conference 2024 . Design Research Society, USA.

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Abstract

An increasing body of evidence suggests that the global emergence of Public Sector Innovation Labs over the last twenty years marked a significant milestone in facilitating design-driven innovation in policymaking. However, the challenges associated with confining design expertise to the periphery of the labs, and their focus on national government, leaves regional and local policymaking in the trenches of legacy systems, processes, and skills. This limitation is problematic as it hinders the adaptation of local policies to effectively respond to the unique challenges they face. This paper explores how design can be integrated into local policymaking to support placemaking and innovation. We address this by analysing a case study where the participatory future scenario planning method is deployed to inform local policy on sustainable and active transport in the context of the Eden Morecambe project in the North-West of England.