Closed to Open: An interdisciplinary approach to urban innovation

The resulting participatory design framework that emerged from Under The Hood

The resulting participatory design framework that emerged from Under The Hood

 
 

A hyperlocal participatory project combining quantitative and qualitative methods, Under The Hood investigated key factors behind intergenerational poverty in a Singaporean neighbourhood with a high concentration of urban poor.

We began with 4 months of internal research, used the insights to create a community brief, which in turn informed and enabled a more open approach involving the wider community over 2 months to generate solutions for the neighbourhood. I was overall project lead, and was also responsible for research and methodological design.

Methods used: Data analysis, ethnography, design thinking (for framing design challenges and for prototyping), systems thinking, lean startup method.

Partners included the Bukit Ho Swee Family Service Centre, UNDP Global Centre for Public Service Excellence, and Google.

Resulting framework adopted by the following Singapore government agencies: Public Sector Transformation Group of the Prime Minister’s Office; Housing and Development Board; SGEnable for Persons With Disability; Singapore Centre for Social Enterprise (raiSE).

Case study as published by the Lien Centre for Social Innovation of Singapore Management University