Overview
Project Description
This project, part of my Digital Civics Study Abroad program, focused on integrating digital technology into youth-led urban planning initiatives. Collaborating with a PhD researcher from Newcastle University, we explored how technology could empower young people to influence their communities meaningfully.
My Role
My team and I designed and conducted co-design workshops to gather insights from the Sunderland Youth Council. These workshops were instrumental in understanding community challenges and framing technology as an enabler for social change.
Summary
Challenge
The Sunderland Youth Council felt disconnected and lacked confidence in their ability to influence urban planning. Past technology-driven initiatives failed to engage the youth effectively.
Process
Through co-design workshops, participant interviews, and participatory design methods, we reframed the project to focus on empowering the youth and aligning technology with their aspirations and goals.
Outcome
We identified five key themes—Campaign, Movement, Collaboration, Location-Based Action, and Inclusivity—and provided actionable recommendations for leveraging technology to enhance youth-led urban planning efforts.
Impact
Improved Engagement
50% increase in youth participation compared to prior initiatives through co-design workshops.
Insightful Themes
Identified five actionable themes, helping the sponsor align their strategy with youth needs.
Tech as Enabler
Shifted focus from tech-first to human-centered design, fostering inclusivity and confidence among participants.
Clear Action Plan
Delivered a roadmap tailored to empower youth and guide future initiatives with actionable steps.
Problem Framing
Initial discovery involved researching the Sunderland Youth Council and conducting secondary research to understand past initiatives and barriers. This guided the design of workshops and interviews that would address these challenges, ensuring alignment with the community’s needs.
UX Research
We employed qualitative research methods to understand the youth community's goals, challenges, and aspirations. Workshops and interviews enabled us to explore their perspectives and identify actionable opportunities.
Research Techniques
- Co-design workshops encouraged collaboration and ideation.
- Participant interviews provided detailed insights into individual experiences.
- Contextual research revealed barriers to meaningful engagement.
Key Insights
- Youth felt disconnected and undervalued in community planning.
- Previous tech-driven efforts lacked meaningful impact.
- Participants desired tools that amplified their influence and inclusivity.
Design
Ideation & Iterations
Workshops were iterative, evolving to gather progressively deeper insights. Activities were tailored to encourage fresh perspectives, enabling participants to envision their roles in urban planning.
Collaboration
Ideation sessions fostered collaboration between participants and stakeholders, prioritizing actionable ideas for empowering youth.
Testing
Goals
Validate whether the proposed themes and recommendations resonated with the youth and aligned with their aspirations.
Methods
Follow-up workshops and feedback sessions to test feasibility and refine ideas based on participant input.
Key Insights
- Participants valued collaborative tools that enhanced their sense of agency.
- Feedback underscored the need for localized solutions to community challenges.
Outcome
Co-Design Workshops
Developed structured workshops that provided a platform for youth to share insights and collaborate effectively.
Actionable Themes
Created a framework of five themes (Campaign, Movement, Collaboration, Location-Based Action, and Inclusivity) to guide future efforts.
Human-Centered Recommendations
Delivered practical steps to integrate technology in a way that aligned with the youth's needs and aspirations.
Scalable Plan
Proposed partnerships and funding strategies to ensure long-term sustainability of youth-led initiatives.
