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How can we design a community-led process for green infrastructure that creates benefits for all in the face of climate change?


The rich and long history of the United Kingdom comes with outdated infrastructure in the face of an increasingly severe climate crisis. Flooding in the UK has become more serious year after year, and green infrastructure is crucial to mitigate the risk of flooding. 


The project aims to meet diverse stakeholder and community needs by considering sustainable drainage systems not only as water management infrastructure but instead as drivers of urban (re-)development that can enrich the public realm and build the resilience of places and communities. As advocates for participatory design, we co-developed and facilitated a variety of participatory research tools and activities such as focus group discussions, co-creation workshops and community vision-setting and partnership exercises.

30+

community and stakeholder interviews were conducted by 2024 for the project. 

5

community champions were trained to be actively involved in the project and understand their role in public project as a local member.

300+

community members were engaged on gathering local vision and design concepts by 2024.

SuDS+: Community-led Future

Co-designing green infrastructure and developing a new stewardship model with the local community
SECTOR
Public, Climate
CLIENTS
DEFRA, Durham County Council
SERVICES
Participatory Design, Design Research
LOCATION
Stanley, Durham, United Kingdom

Engagement and Research Methods


Site Visit

We joined walking tours with our local partner and visited locations that has been impacted by flooding to better inform the design


Visioning Workshop



Co-design workshop


Community & Stakeholder Interviews

We have interviewed 14 community members and 15 stakeholders to understand local needs, aspirations and vision for their local area.


Walking tours


Youth club and school sessions

Similar to the workshop we run with adults, we did a co-design workshops with a younger demographic.



 

Outputs


Vision


Community concepts

Community concepts were generated through these workshops, informing community's vision, needs and ideas for the town.









Insights on local vision, stewardship models and concepts on SuDS were captured through these engagement.



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