In recent years, much research has focused on discussing the transformation of society through design, particularly the shift from the current homogenous and unsustainable world to a diverse and ecological future. However, it is difficult for prevailing design practice that is facing an ecological crisis to break away from the path that is continuously driven by the current pure anthropism demand (Fry, & Tlostanova, 2020). Within the framework of modern design influenced by dualism, it seems difficult to escape from the state where MtH is protected and used as human welfare and to achieve the “ideal” state where MtH coexists with human. This limitation of the human mind is increasingly being criticized, Tassinari et al. (2020) and many other researchers have emphasized how design could be partly responsible for going beyond the actions that make humans separate from nature. It is imperative to discover how design could contribute to exploring a substantial shift towards a shared future shaped (actively and positively) by humans and (MtH) actors and bringing us all together. As we shift our focus to cities ─ spaces meticulously shaped for humans ─ we see that they have long served as intricate artificial 'models,' enforcing strict control over the division between humans and MtH actors. However, cities should ideally be fertile grounds where both humans and MtH actors can flourish, as proposed by Yunkaporta (2019). This concept is rooted in the perpetual presence of ecosystem-based diversity. The emergence of this notion aligns with the Anthropocene epoch, which has gradually eroded the traditional boundaries separating human and MtH actors in their capacity to engage in world-shaping endeavours, largely influenced by post-humanist theories. This shift in perspective offers MtH actors ─ an often-marginalized group in modern times ─ an opportunity to engage positively in the urban formation process. This transition is gaining momentum as an increasing number of discussions centre around empowering the voices of MtH actors and integrating their relationships within the fabric of city formation. A notable scenario for future city-making from the Design for Social Innovation perspective is 'Collaborative Cities' (CC) set out by Manzini and Desis-Network (2019). 'Collaboration' or 'collaborative' represents the entire process of citizens' democratic engagement in urban design (Miessen, 2010). This scenario inherits the value of participatory democracy from urban design and provides emerging meaning from a social innovation point of view. The role of universities is increasing significantly in CC. As a multi-disciplinary platform, not only does research in universities cultivate talents and provide solutions for urban construction, but universities themselves are also considered to play an active and more important role as an integral part of the urban physical and ecological place (Cunha, 2013; Benneworth, 2015; Fassi, D, 2019; Puente, et al., 2021). Project-based studios are becoming increasingly prominent in reshaping the role of universities, and as an activation point for transformation, these studios promote the connection between universities and complex social phenomena. The CC is an alternative scenario for future city development affording marginalized communities a platform for expression and enabling their participation in the city-making process through Collaborative City-Making (CCM) projects. Various design approaches could be applied to this process, but with specific emphasis on Service Design (SD) and Product Service System Design (PSSD), two significant disciplines adopted by majority of members of the DESIS Network. As observed over many years in the studios operated by DESIS Lab at Politecnico di Milano, adhering to a human-centred or community-centred pedagogical framework lacks the understanding and empathy to recognize the MtHs’ quality and that they are closely connected to humans, land, and diverse creatures. This is also a common phenomenon worldwide. When in light of the current ecological crisis, the author realized that, in order to shift the ontological foundation of this framework it is crucial to transform the mindset of design students who are considered "concept developers" and "design practitioners". The author creates an alternative design framework, including a design process, principles, and method (referred to as the MtH Magnifier). Other results are a set of facilitating tools that help achieve the targets and address the awareness limitations of each design stage in project-based studios to incorporate MtH into the design process of collaborative city-making projects. This incorporation involves collecting data from desk research and existing case studies and analyzing them using grounded theory. The framework aims to guide design practitioners toward a flatter and more relational mindset (Bryant, 2011) (See Fig. 2), moving away from prevailing hierarchical and dualistic human-centric thinking. This shift improves their capacity to consider the design possibilities presented by MtH actors, their agencies, and the surrounding relationality while designing CCM projects, aiming to find shared interests between humans and MtH actors and thus contributing to the creation of a shared future. In a larger context, the study aspires to pave the way for a gradual ontological transformation within the realm of city-making─ a transformation rooted in grassroots initiatives and with the potential to eventually revolutionize design practices through a cumulative contribution of numerous design research endeavours.
Negli ultimi anni, molta ricerca si è concentrata sulla discussione della trasformazione della società attraverso il design, in particolare sul passaggio dall'attuale mondo omogeneo e insostenibile a un futuro diversificato ed ecologico. Tuttavia, è difficile per la pratica di design prevalente, che si trova di fronte a una crisi ecologica, distaccarsi dal percorso continuamente guidato dalla pura domanda antropica corrente (Fry, & Tlostanova, 2020). All'interno del quadro del design moderno influenzato dal dualismo, sembra difficile sfuggire allo stato in cui l'umanità protegge e utilizza il MtH (Matter-than-Human) per il proprio benessere e raggiungere lo stato "ideale" in cui il MtH coesiste con gli esseri umani. Questa limitazione della mente umana viene sempre più criticata, Tassinari et al. (2020) e molti altri ricercatori hanno sottolineato come il design potrebbe essere in parte responsabile di andare oltre le azioni che separano gli esseri umani dalla natura. È imperativo scoprire come il design potrebbe contribuire a esplorare un cambiamento sostanziale verso un futuro condiviso plasmato (attivamente e positivamente) dagli esseri umani e dagli attori del MtH e che ci riunisca tutti. Passando il nostro focus sulle città ─ spazi attentamente plasmati per gli esseri umani ─ vediamo che hanno a lungo funzionato come intricati "modelli" artificiali, imponendo un rigoroso controllo sulla divisione tra esseri umani e attori del MtH. Tuttavia, le città dovrebbero idealmente essere terreni fertili dove possono fiorire sia gli esseri umani che gli attori del MtH, come proposto da Yunkaporta (2019). Questo concetto è radicato nella presenza perpetua della diversità basata sull'ecosistema. L'emergere di questa idea si allinea all'epoca dell'Antropocene, che ha gradualmente eroso i confini tradizionali che separano gli esseri umani dagli attori del MtH nella loro capacità di partecipare a imprese che plasmano il mondo, ampiamente influenzate dalle teorie post-umaniste. Questo cambio di prospettiva offre agli attori del MtH ─ un gruppo spesso marginalizzato nei tempi moderni ─ l'opportunità di impegnarsi positivamente nel processo di formazione urbana. Questa transizione sta guadagnando slancio poiché un numero crescente di discussioni ruota attorno all'abilitazione delle voci degli attori del MtH e all'integrazione delle loro relazioni nel tessuto della formazione della città. Uno scenario significativo per la futura creazione di città dal punto di vista del Design per l'Innovazione Sociale è quello delle 'Città Collaborative' (CC) delineato da Manzini e dalla Rete Desis (2019). 'Collaborazione' o 'collaborativo' rappresenta l'intero processo di coinvolgimento democratico dei cittadini nel design urbano (Miessen, 2010). Questo scenario eredita il valore della democrazia partecipativa dal design urbano e fornisce un significato emergente dal punto di vista dell'innovazione sociale. Il ruolo delle università sta assumendo un'importanza significativa nelle CC. Come piattaforma multidisciplinare, la ricerca nelle università non solo coltiva talenti e fornisce soluzioni per la costruzione urbana, ma le università stesse sono considerate anche un ruolo attivo e più importante come parte integrante del luogo fisico ed ecologico urbano (Cunha, 2013; Benneworth, 2015; Fassi, D, 2019; Puente, et al., 2021). Gli studi basati su progetti stanno diventando sempre più prominenti nel ridefinire il ruolo delle università e, come punto di attivazione per la trasformazione, questi studi promuovono il collegamento tra università e fenomeni sociali complessi. Le CC rappresentano uno scenario alternativo per lo sviluppo futuro delle città che offre alle comunità marginalizzate una piattaforma per l'espressione e consente la loro partecipazione nel processo di creazione della città attraverso progetti di CCM (Collaborative City-Making). Diverse approcci di design potrebbero essere applicati a questo processo, ma con un'enfasi specifica sul Design del Servizio (SD) e sul Design del Sistema di Servizio del Prodotto (PSSD), due discipline significative adottate dalla maggior parte dei membri della Rete DESIS. Come osservato per molti anni negli studi condotti dal DESIS Lab al Politecnico di Milano, aderire a un quadro pedagogico incentrato sull'essere umano o sulla comunità manca della comprensione e dell'empatia necessarie per riconoscere la qualità del MtH e la sua stretta connessione con gli esseri umani, la terra e le diverse creature. Questo è anche un fenomeno comune in tutto il mondo. Alla luce della attuale crisi ecologica, l'autore ha realizzato che, per cambiare la fondazione ontologica di questo quadro, è cruciale trasformare la mentalità degli studenti di design considerati "sviluppatori di concetti" e "professionisti del design". L'autore crea un quadro di design alternativo, compreso un processo di design, principi e metodi (denominato MtH Magnifier). Altri risultati sono un insieme di strumenti facilitanti che aiutano a raggiungere gli obiettivi e ad affrontare le limitazioni di consapevolezza di ciascuna fase di design negli studi basati su progetti per incorporare il MtH nel processo di design dei progetti di CCM. Questa incorporazione coinvolge la raccolta di dati da ricerca da scrivania e studi di casi esistenti e la loro analisi utilizzando la grounded theory. Il quadro mira a guidare i professionisti del design verso una mentalità più piatta e relazionale (Bryant, 2011) (vedi Fig. 2), allontanandosi dal prevalente pensiero gerarchico e dualistico centrato sull'essere umano. Questo cambiamento migliora la loro capacità di considerare le possibilità di design presentate dagli attori del MtH, le loro agenzie e la relazionalità circostante durante la progettazione di progetti CCM, con l'obiettivo di trovare interessi comuni tra esseri umani e attori del MtH e contribuire così alla creazione di un futuro condiviso. In un contesto più ampio, lo studio aspira a spianare la strada per una graduale trasformazione ontologica nel campo della creazione della città─ una trasformazione radicata nelle iniziative di base e con il potenziale di rivoluzionare eventualmente le pratiche di design attraverso un contributo cumulativo di numerose ricerche di design.
The More-than Human (MtH) Magnifier-A relational framework for incorporating the "MtH" actors in the project-based design studio towards "Collaborative Cities" scenario
Jiang, Jixiang
2023/2024
Abstract
In recent years, much research has focused on discussing the transformation of society through design, particularly the shift from the current homogenous and unsustainable world to a diverse and ecological future. However, it is difficult for prevailing design practice that is facing an ecological crisis to break away from the path that is continuously driven by the current pure anthropism demand (Fry, & Tlostanova, 2020). Within the framework of modern design influenced by dualism, it seems difficult to escape from the state where MtH is protected and used as human welfare and to achieve the “ideal” state where MtH coexists with human. This limitation of the human mind is increasingly being criticized, Tassinari et al. (2020) and many other researchers have emphasized how design could be partly responsible for going beyond the actions that make humans separate from nature. It is imperative to discover how design could contribute to exploring a substantial shift towards a shared future shaped (actively and positively) by humans and (MtH) actors and bringing us all together. As we shift our focus to cities ─ spaces meticulously shaped for humans ─ we see that they have long served as intricate artificial 'models,' enforcing strict control over the division between humans and MtH actors. However, cities should ideally be fertile grounds where both humans and MtH actors can flourish, as proposed by Yunkaporta (2019). This concept is rooted in the perpetual presence of ecosystem-based diversity. The emergence of this notion aligns with the Anthropocene epoch, which has gradually eroded the traditional boundaries separating human and MtH actors in their capacity to engage in world-shaping endeavours, largely influenced by post-humanist theories. This shift in perspective offers MtH actors ─ an often-marginalized group in modern times ─ an opportunity to engage positively in the urban formation process. This transition is gaining momentum as an increasing number of discussions centre around empowering the voices of MtH actors and integrating their relationships within the fabric of city formation. A notable scenario for future city-making from the Design for Social Innovation perspective is 'Collaborative Cities' (CC) set out by Manzini and Desis-Network (2019). 'Collaboration' or 'collaborative' represents the entire process of citizens' democratic engagement in urban design (Miessen, 2010). This scenario inherits the value of participatory democracy from urban design and provides emerging meaning from a social innovation point of view. The role of universities is increasing significantly in CC. As a multi-disciplinary platform, not only does research in universities cultivate talents and provide solutions for urban construction, but universities themselves are also considered to play an active and more important role as an integral part of the urban physical and ecological place (Cunha, 2013; Benneworth, 2015; Fassi, D, 2019; Puente, et al., 2021). Project-based studios are becoming increasingly prominent in reshaping the role of universities, and as an activation point for transformation, these studios promote the connection between universities and complex social phenomena. The CC is an alternative scenario for future city development affording marginalized communities a platform for expression and enabling their participation in the city-making process through Collaborative City-Making (CCM) projects. Various design approaches could be applied to this process, but with specific emphasis on Service Design (SD) and Product Service System Design (PSSD), two significant disciplines adopted by majority of members of the DESIS Network. As observed over many years in the studios operated by DESIS Lab at Politecnico di Milano, adhering to a human-centred or community-centred pedagogical framework lacks the understanding and empathy to recognize the MtHs’ quality and that they are closely connected to humans, land, and diverse creatures. This is also a common phenomenon worldwide. When in light of the current ecological crisis, the author realized that, in order to shift the ontological foundation of this framework it is crucial to transform the mindset of design students who are considered "concept developers" and "design practitioners". The author creates an alternative design framework, including a design process, principles, and method (referred to as the MtH Magnifier). Other results are a set of facilitating tools that help achieve the targets and address the awareness limitations of each design stage in project-based studios to incorporate MtH into the design process of collaborative city-making projects. This incorporation involves collecting data from desk research and existing case studies and analyzing them using grounded theory. The framework aims to guide design practitioners toward a flatter and more relational mindset (Bryant, 2011) (See Fig. 2), moving away from prevailing hierarchical and dualistic human-centric thinking. This shift improves their capacity to consider the design possibilities presented by MtH actors, their agencies, and the surrounding relationality while designing CCM projects, aiming to find shared interests between humans and MtH actors and thus contributing to the creation of a shared future. In a larger context, the study aspires to pave the way for a gradual ontological transformation within the realm of city-making─ a transformation rooted in grassroots initiatives and with the potential to eventually revolutionize design practices through a cumulative contribution of numerous design research endeavours.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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JIANG_23_02_2024 dissertation.pdf
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https://hdl.handle.net/10589/217235