Sustainability Transitions

The course addresses the role of design and designing in transitions to just and sustainable futures. Transitioning to more sustainable societies requires changes in systems for food, mobility, energy, water, etc. The course aims to expand the candidates' knowledge and develop their ability to critically reflect on the role of design and designers in such transitions.

The course focuses on everyday life and how it is part of societal transformations, and introduces theories and methods for (design for) sustainability transitions.

Knowledge:

The candidate

• Is familiar with theories and methods for evaluating design's contribution to (transitions towards) sustainable societies
• Has insight in systemic relations and dynamics of change, and is familiar with methods for developing visions, involving stakeholders and designing at different scales and time horizons
• Can map and analyse systems, identify opportunities for change, and critically reflect on designers’ roles and responsibilities

Skills:

The candidate

• Can critically analyse how products and services, technologies and infrastructures relate to and affect society and nature, and identify opportunities for change
• Has experience with application of research skills in a design project

General qualifications:

The candidate

• Is familiar with theories, methods and practices related to the role and agency of design and design professionals in sustainability transitions
• Can analyse, identify and critically reflect on opportunities for designing for sustainability transitions and catalysing systems-level change

The course language is English. Activities include exercises, analysis of cases and/or group project work within a given topic. Candidates receive guidance in addition to lectures and guest lectures. Participation in the course gives access to supplementary resources from the course TPD4200.